An investigation on the optical properties of 1% Tb2O3 + 50% Na2O + 49% P2O5 glass has been carried out by means of absorption and luminescence spectroscopy at room temperature. Luminescence decay profile has also been measured using an UV xenon flash tube. Five absorption bands are recorded in the ultraviolet to visible region between 200 nm and 600 nm with a sharp peak around 376 nm due to 7F6 → (5D3, 5G6) transition. The excitation spectra also indicate the occurrence of the strongest peak at 376 nm for (5D3, 5G6) multiplets and hence it has been utilized as an excitation for luminescence investigation. Among the observed six luminescence emission bands, the strongest emission band is found at 541 nm corresponding to 5D4 → 7F5 transition. The emission band results in a broadband, intense and most prominent green emission. The 5D4 excited state lifetime decay profile represents exponential behaviour. The investigation reveals that the Tb3+ doped glass may be utilized as an intense green emitting glass.
