Energy transfer from Mn2+ to Nd3+ in phosphate glasses

Energy transfer between Mn2+ and Nd3+ ion is studied in four different phosphate glassy matrices. In the Mn2+ :Nd3+ system energy is found to transfer from the a(4) Gamma emitting state of Mn2+ ion to (4)G(5/2) absorbing state of Nd3+ ion. From the overlap of the emission spectrum of Mn2+ ion and the absorption spectrum of the Nd3+ ion, the overlap integral between this transition is evaluated and is found to be a measure of the energy transfer. This in turn is utilized in evaluating the energy transfer probability using the well known Forster-Dexter theory. Some of the important energy transfer parameters such as quantum yield of energy transfer (eta), critical radius (R-0) and critical concentration (C-0) are evaluated in the light of this theory. Also the energy transfer is found to occur through a dipole-dipole interaction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.