State-selective energy transfer from Er3+ to Eu3+ in Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3-Na2O glasses.

The Eu(3+) ion was introduced into Er(3+) doped Bi(2)O(3)-GeO(2)-Ga(2)O(3)-Na(2)O (BGGN) glasses to improve the 1.5 microm band emission. As a function of Eu(2)O(3) doped content, we observed the increase in non-radiative decay rate of Er(3+) not only (4)I(11/2) energy level but also (4)I(13/2) energy level, while the lifetime of Er(3+):(4)I(11/2) and (4)I(13/2) levels were shortened from 607 to 241 micros and from 3.37 to 1.88 ms, respectively. Accordingly, the upconversion fluorescence (green and red) was quenched. The total quantum efficiency of the Er(3+):(4)I(13/2) increased with the Eu(2)O(3) content increasing up to 0.2 mol% due to the state-selective energy transfer from Er(3+) to Eu(3+).