The influence of low-temperature silver-ion exchange on the spectral-luminescent properties of fluorophosphate glasses doped with PbSe

Changes in the absorption and luminescence spectra of fluorophosphate glasses doped with PbSe caused by low-temperature Ag⁺–Na⁺ ion exchange are considered. It is found that the silver distribution gradient in a near-surface layer about 16 μm thick leads to two different processes of interaction between metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. PbSe molecular clusters and quantum dots more efficiently grow in deep layers with a low silver concentration. The near-surface glass layers with a high silver concentration exhibit formation of Ag metal nanoparticles, on the surface of which interaction with PbSe molecular clusters leads to the formation of Ag–Se–Pb bonds, which transform into Ag₂Se layers in the process of heat treatment. The appearance of the new phase is confirmed by X-ray diffraction.