Abstract: Erbium doped borate glass is widely used in luminescent materials, the luminescence dynamics of erbium doped borate glass is of great significance for optimizing and improving the luminous efficiency. The 2% molar ratio erbium doped borate glass was synthesized by the traditional melt quenching method, and annealed at 260 ^\circC below the borate glass transition temperature. The thermal performance parameters of borate glass undoped and doped with Er^3+ were measured by differential scanning calorimetry with 10 ^\circC/min. The transient emission spectrum and decay kinetics curves were measured for the luminescence mechanism of erbium doped borate. Er^3+ ions have different lifetime when emitted at 556 nm with different excitation wavelengths, the excited state trap may exist in erbium doped borate glass.