Intensification of rare earths luminescence in glasses

Steady state and dynamic luminescence of Eu³⁺ cryptates, sulfides and oxides and of Tb³⁺ oxide and sulfide incorporated in a variety of glass films prepared by the sol-gel method allows to interpret the increase of luminescence in the complex ions compared to the simple oxides. The lifetimes of the emitting ⁵D₀ state of europium and ⁵D₄ state of terbium increases in the complexes. We discuss the mechanism of the excitation and nonradiative relaxation of the ions.