Peculiarity of the Structure and Luminescence of Glasses in La(2)S(3)-Ga(2)S(3)-GeS(2):Pr(3+) System

The effect of modifying the composition of a glass matrix based on the Ga(2)S(3)-GeS(2):Pr(3+) system due to the addition of La(2)S(3) on the structure and the optical and luminescent properties of these glasses has been studied. It has been shown that the addition of La(2)S(3) leads to changes in the nearest structural environment of Ga, Ge, and S and increases the degree of ionicity of the bonds of the Pr(3+) ion. Despite the existence of a large glass formation region in the Ga(2)S(3)-GeS(2)-La(2)S(3) system and the structural and chemical similarity of La and Pr, La(2)S(3) does not promote a more uniform distribution of Pr(3+) ions in the glass matrix, and thus does not reduce the concentration quenching of the luminescence of Pr(3+) ions. However, the addition of La(2)S(3) increases the probability of emission of Pr(3+) ions and decreases the radiative lifetime. Additionally, it was shown that, when studying the structure and luminescent properties of glasses with La, it is necessary to take into account a significant concentration of rare earth traces (Pr and Nd).