Photochromism influence on the luminescence spectrum of Bi4Ge3O12 single crystals doped with Mn

Abstract

Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ crystals doped with Mn exhibit a considerable thermally stable photochromic effect. An additional absorption of light appears in the visible region of the optical absorption spectrum of the crystals irradiated with UV light. In the photoluminescence spectrum, both the intrinsic emission of a pure Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ crystal and the emission in the region of 580 nm caused by the presence of Mn²⁺ ions are observed. After UV exposure, the luminescence intensity of Mn-doped Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ crystals decreases. The emission associated with by Mn²⁺ ions disappears. The luminescence intensity of pure Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ decreases due to strong photoinduced absorption of light in this spectral region.