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Tb3+ ions doped optical materials have emerged as gain media for green fiber lasers. Dy3+ ions were proposed as a sensitizer of Tb3+ ions in glasses to increase the excitation efficiency, yet a systematic understanding of the impact of Dy3+ doping on spectroscopic and physiochemical properties of glasses remains lacking. Here, using Tb3+/Dy3+ doped fluoride glass as a model system, we reveal that Dy3+ doping not only enhances Tb3+ emission intensity, but also increases the thermal stability of fluoride glasses. Detailed spectroscopic characterizations indicate that co-doping Dy3+ ions boosts visible luminescence intensity of Tb3+ ions in fluoride glasses due to sensitization of Tb3+ by Dy3+ ions. Importantly, we deeply research the energy transfer process, ascertain several important factors affecting energy transfer efficiency and propose optimal doping concentrations of Tb3+ and Dy3+ ions for visible emission. We envisage that our finding provides a new perspective for the synthesis of Tb3+-doped fluoride glasses with enhanced thermal stability, and may be extended for the fabrication of Tb3+-activated optical fibers. • Much enhanced visible emission of Tb3+ in ZBLAN glass is obtained. • Enhanced thermal stability after co-doping Dy3+ ions is observed. • Effect of sensitizer Dy3+ on visible emissions of Tb3+ ions is studied. • Detailed energy transfer mechanisms between Dy3+ and Tb3+ ions are performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we systematically study the spectroscopic properties of Tb3+/Dy3+ co‐doped phosphate glasses in the visible spectral region and explore the sensitization role of Dy3+ in the enhancement of visible fluorescence of Tb3+ ions. Judd‐Ofelt parameters Ω2 and Ω4/Ω6 of the phosphate glass as host for Tb3+ are calculated as 21.60 × 10‐20 cm2 and 0.73, respectively, based on the measured spectral absorption. Multiple energy transfer (ET) routes from Dy3+ to Tb3+ and their efficiencies are characterized, and the enhanced fluorescence properties of Tb3+ are investigated, including the emission spectral strength and the spontaneous emission lifetime as functions of Dy3+ doping concentration. The efficient nonradiative ET processes between Dy3+ and Tb3+ allow a moderate concentration level of Tb3+ to achieve favorably stronger spectral absorption at blue and ultraviolet wavelengths. Tb3+/Dy3+ co‐doped phosphate glass shows promising potential for phosphors and lasing operation at visible wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]