Quantum yield of luminescence of Ag nanoclusters dispersed within transparent bulk glass vs. glass composition and temperature

The intensity, lifetime, and quantum yield of luminescence of Ag nanoclusters dispersed within transparent oxyfluoride glass host are shown to vary over an order of magnitude with varying glass composition and temperature. In particular, the yield may vary with glass composition from 2% to 30% at room temperature and up to 50% with decreasing temperature to 25 K, when excited at some wavelengths in ultraviolet. These variations are suggested to be governed by the change in the F-interstitials/Frenkel defects concentration, and temperature dependence of spin flip and F-interstitials assisted non-radiative decay of the photoexcited electrons on Ag nanoclusters.