RESUMEN
Li2 O-HfO2 -SiO2 -Tm2 O3 :Au2 O3 glass samples (containing fixed content of Tm2 O3 and different concentration of Au2 O3 ) were prepared and characterized. Bearing of Au0 metallic particles (MPs) on improving blue emission of thulium ions (Tm3+ ) ions was explored. Optical absorption (OA) spectra exhibited multiple bands excited from 3 H6 of Tm3+ . Additionally, a broad peak in the wavelength range 500-600 nm due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au0 MPs was noticed in the spectra. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra (of thulium free glasses) indicated a peak in the visible range due to sp â d electronic transition of Au0 MPs. Luminescence spectra of Tm3+ and Au2 O3 co-doped glasses exhibited intense blue emission with substantial increase of intensity with increase of Au2 O3 content. Bearing of Au0 MPs on the reinforcement of blue emission of Tm3+ was discussed in detail with kinetic rate equations.