EN
Composite material based on a TiO2 matrix doped with Sm3+ ions and co-doped with silver was investigated. Samarium ions together with nano- and micro-aggregates of silver were incorporated into the titanium alkoxide during the sol-gel process. Samarium ions were excited either directly (λ
exc = 488 nm) or through the TiO2 host (λ
exc = 355 nm). It was revealed that samarium fluorescence (λ
exc = 488 nm) in gelled TiO2 films is enhanced by up to 20 times in the vicinity of silver inclusions. Sensitizing and plasmonic mechanisms of enhancement in Sm3+ fluorescence are discussed.