This letter investigates PZABP glasses with nominal composition, 60P(2)O(5)center dot 15ZnO center dot 5Al(2)O(3)center dot 10BaO center dot 10PbO, doped with tellurium and co-doped with different concentrations of rare earth ions, ytterbium and europium. AFM, optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) techniques characterized the vitreous systems. The formation of semiconductor nanoclusters ZnTe bulk-like and ZnTe quantum dots were identified. PL and TRPL show the energy transfer from the ZnTe nanocrystals and Eu3+ ions to Yb3+ ions. The optical properties presented qualify the system as potentially useful for light emission devices in the infrared region from 920 to 1060 nm. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.