Sm-activated barium halide nanocrystals in fluorozirconate glasses

Fluorozirconate-based glasses have been doped with samarium and bromine ions. Thermal processing initiates the formation of barium bromide nanocrystals in the glass. Samarium enters the glass matrix either in its divalent or in its trivalent state. Fluorescence measurements indicate that during the annealing process Sm2+ ions enter the nanocrystals leading to enhanced fluorescence efficiency and to changes in the fluorescence lifetime.