Specific features of photo and thermoluminescence of Tb ions in BaO-M2O3 (M=Ga, Al, In)-P2O5 glasses

BaO-P₂O₅ glasses mixed with the three metal oxides viz., Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃ and In₂O₃ doped with Tb₂O₃ were prepared. The glasses were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) of these glasses have been studied. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ have been evaluated and compared with those of other reported glass systems. The Judd-Ofelt theory could successfully be applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of these glasses. From this theory various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r, the radiative lifetime τ_r and the emission cross-section σ^E for various emission levels of these glasses have been determined and reported. An attempt has also been made to throw some light on the relationship between the structural modifications and luminescence efficiencies of all the three glasses. The analysis of TL data indicate high non-radiative losses in In₂O₃ mixed glasses.