Long-lived emission from Eu3+:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into sol-gel silica glass

This paper reports an optical investigation of Eu3+:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into silica glasses fabricated by sol–gel methods. The sample microstructure was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy. The β-cubic PbF2 crystalline phase was identified using X-ray diffraction analysis. The observed emission bands correspond to 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 0–4) transitions of Eu3+. The spectroscopic parameters for Eu3+ ions were determined based on excitation and emission measurements as well as luminescence decay analysis. Emission originating from 5D0 state of Eu3+ ions in sample containing PbF2 nanocrystals is long-lived in comparison to precursor sol–gel silica glasses