Specific features of photo and thermoluminescence of Tb ions in BaO-M2O3 (M=Ga, Al, In)-P2O5 glasses

BaO-P₂O₅ glasses mixed with the three metal oxides viz., Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃ and In₂O₃ doped with Tb₂O₃ were prepared. The glasses were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) of these glasses have been studied. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ have been evaluated and compared with those of other reported glass systems. The Judd-Ofelt theory could successfully be applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of these glasses. From this theory various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r, the radiative lifetime τ_r and the emission cross-section σ^E for various emission levels of these glasses have been determined and reported. An attempt has also been made to throw some light on the relationship between the structural modifications and luminescence efficiencies of all the three glasses. The analysis of TL data indicate high non-radiative losses in In₂O₃ mixed glasses.     

Spectroscopic features of Pr, Nd, Sm and Er ions in Li2O-MO (Nb2O5, MoO3 and WO3)-B2O3 glass systems

Li₂O-MO (Nb₂O₅, MoO₃ and WO₃)-B₂O₃ glasses doped with four rare earth ions, viz., Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Er³⁺ (of 1.0 mol% each) were prepared. The glasses were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, ESR, optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ have been evaluated. The Judd-Ofelt theory could successfully be applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of these glasses. From this theory, various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r, the radiative life time τ_r and the emission cross-section σ^E for various emission levels of these glasses have been determined and reported. An attempt has also been made to throw some light on the relationship between the structural modifications and luminescence efficiencies of all the three glasses. The analysis of the data indicated high non-radiative losses in Nb₂O₅ mixed glasses.     

Fluorescence features of Sm ions in Na2SO4-MO-P2O5 glass system—Influence of modifier oxide

Na₂SO₄-P₂O₅:Sm³⁺ glasses mixed with three different alkaline earth modifier oxides viz., MgO, CaO and BaO were prepared. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of these glasses have been recorded at room temperature; the Judd-Ofelt theory was successfully applied to characterize these spectra. From this theory, various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r, the radiative lifetime τ_r, for various emission levels in the spectra of these glasses have been determined and reported. An attempt has also been made to throw some light on the relationship between the structural modifications and luminescence efficiencies in the change of scenario for modifying oxides in the glass network.     

Role of Al coordination in barium phosphate glasses on the emission features of Ho ion in the visible and IR spectral ranges

The glasses of the composition (39−x)BaO-xAl₂O₃-60P₂O₅:1.0Ho₂O₃ (in mol%) with x value ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 have been synthesized. The IR spectral studies of these glasses have indicated that there is a gradual transformation of Al³⁺ ions from tetrahedral to octahedral with increase in the concentration of Al₂O₃ up to 3.0 mol%. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra (in the visible and NIR regions) of these glasses have been recorded at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt theory could successfully be applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of Ho³⁺ ions in these glasses. From the luminescence spectra, various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r, the radiative lifetime τ_r and emission cross-section σ^E for various emission levels of these glasses have been evaluated. The radiative lifetime of the ⁵S₂→⁵I₈ (green emission) transition has also been measured. The variations observed in these parameters have been discussed in the light of varying co-ordinations (tetrahedral and octahedral positions) of Al³⁺ ions in the glass network. The influence of hydroxyl groups on the luminescence efficiency of the transition ⁵S₂→⁵I₈ has also been discussed. Finally the optimum concentration of Al₂O₃ for getting maximum luminescence output has also been identified and reported.     

Emission features of Ho ion in Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and La2O3 mixed Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 glasses

Li₂O-ZrO₂-SiO₂: Ho³⁺ glasses mixed with three interesting d-block elemental oxides, viz., Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅ and La₂O₃, were prepared. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of these glasses have been recorded at room temperature. The luminescence spectra of Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅ mixed Li₂O-ZrO₂-SiO₂ glasses (free of Ho³⁺ ions) have also exhibited broad emission band in the blue region. This band is attributed to radiative recombination of self-trapped excitons (STEs) localized on substitutionally positioned octahedral Ta⁵⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ ions in the glass network. The Judd-Ofelt theory was successfully applied to characterize Ho³⁺ spectra of all the three glasses. From this theory various radiative properties, like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r and the radiative lifetime τ_r, for ⁵S₂ emission levels in the spectra of these glasses have been evaluated. The radiative lifetime for ⁵S₂ level of Ho³⁺ ions has also been measured and quantum efficiencies were estimated. Among the three glasses studied the La₂O₃ mixed glass exhibited the highest quantum efficiency. The reasons for such higher value have been discussed based on the relationship between the structural modifications taking place around the Ho³⁺ ions.     

Spectroscopic and optical properties of Nd doped fluorine containing alkali and alkaline earth zinc-aluminophosphate optical glasses

Nd³⁺ doped fluorine containing zinc-aluminophosphate glasses have been prepared with alkali and alkaline earth content to understand the effect of network modifiers on radiative process. The physical and optical properties of these glasses have been evaluated. The Judd-Ofelt model for the intensity analysis of induced electric dipole transitions has been applied to the measured oscillator strengths of the absorption bands to determine the three phenomenological intensity parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ for each glass. Using these parameters, transition probability (A), total transition probability (A_T), branching ratios (β_R) radiative life times (τ_R) and integrated cross-section (σ_a) for the stimulated emission have been theoretically calculated for certain excited Nd³⁺ fluorescent levels. From the obtained results the conclusion is made about the possibility of using these glasses as laser material.     

An investigation on visible luminescence of Ho activated LBTAF glasses

Different concentrations of Ho³⁺-doped lead borate titanate aluminum fluoride (LBTAFHo) glasses with chemical composition of PbO-H₃BO₃-TiO₂-AlF₃-Ho₂O₃ were prepared by the melt quenching method. The spectral properties were investigated using the absorption, emission and decay measurements. The experimental oscillator strengths were calculated from the area under the absorption bands. Applying Judd-Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters (Ω_{λ=2, 4, 6}) were calculated, by the least square fit approach from which the radiative transition rates, luminescence branching ratios and radiative decay times were determined. The photoluminescence spectra revealed the quenching of luminescence intensity beyond 1.0 mol% of Ho³⁺ ion concentration. To investigate the luminescence potentiality of ⁵F₄→⁵I₈ emission level, the effective bandwidth and the stimulated emission cross-section were determined. The quenching in experimental decay time is attributed to the resonance energy transfer among the excited Ho³⁺ ions.     

Optical properties and up-conversion of Pr doped CdS nanoparticles in sol-gel glasses

Silica glasses containing Pr³⁺ with and without CdS nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel technique. The influence of CdS nanoparticles on Pr³⁺ doped glass was studied by absorption, photoluminescence and up-conversion. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ have been evaluated. The radiative transition probability (A), radiative lifetime (τ_R), branching ratio (β_R) and integrated emission cross-section (σ_P) were calculated from excited states of ³P₁ and ³P₀ levels. The up-conversion emissions were found in the green, orange and red regions under 800 nm excitation with peaks 559, 612 and 688 nm respectively. On excitation with 370 nm also leads to similar green, orange and red regions.     

Emission characteristics of Dy3+ ions in lead antimony borate glasses

Glasses with the composition 30PbO–25Sb₂O₃–(45?x)B₂O₃–xDy₂O₃ for x=0 to 1 were prepared in steps of 0.2 by the melt-quenching method. Various physical parameters, viz., density, molar volume, and oxygen packing density, were evaluated. Optical absorption and luminescence spectra of all the glasses were recorded at room temperature. From the observed absorption edges optical band gap, the Urbach energies are calculated; the optical band gap is found to decrease with the concentration of Dy₂O₃. The Judd–Ofelt theory was applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of Dy³⁺ ions in these glasses. Following the luminescence spectra, various radiative properties, like transition probability A, branching ratio β and the radiative life time τ for different emission levels of Dy³⁺ ions, have been evaluated. The radiative lifetime for the ⁴F_9/2 multiplet has also been evaluated from the recorded life time decay curves, and the quantum efficiencies were estimated for all the glasses. The quantum efficiency is found to increase with the concentration of Dy₂O₃.     

Spectroscopic investigations and luminescence spectra of Nd and Dy doped different phosphate glasses

Spectral properties of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in different phosphate glasses were studied and several spectroscopic parameters were reported. Covalency of rare-earth-oxygen bond was studied in these phosphate glass matrices with the variation of modifier in host glass matrix. Using Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆), radiative transition probabilities (A) and radiative lifetimes (τ_R) of certain excited states of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions are estimated in these glass matrices. From the magnitudes of branching ratios (β_R) and integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ), certain transitions of both the ions are identified for laser excitation. From the emission spectra, peak stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_P) are evaluated for the emission transitions observed in all these phosphate glass matrices for both Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions.     

Judd-Ofelt analysis and near infrared emission properties of the Er ions in tellurite glasses containing WO3 and CdO

The influence of erbium (Er³⁺) ion concentration on the infrared emission at 1.5 μm in TeO₂-WO₃ and TeO₂-CdO-WO₃ glasses was studied. The samples were prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The optical properties were studied by measuring the absorption and luminescence spectra at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω_t), transition probabilities, branching ratios of various transitions and their radiative lifetimes were calculated from the optical absorption spectra. Absorption and emission cross-section spectra and the Stark Levels splitting for the ⁴I_13/2 to ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ centered at 1.5 μm were determined.     

Dysprosium doped alkali fluoroborate glasses—Thermal, structural and optical investigations

Thermal, structural and optical properties of Dy³⁺-doped alkali fluoroborate glasses with composition (in mol%), 49B₂O₃+25XO+25NaF+1Dy₂O₃ (where X=Li₂, Na₂, K₂, Mg and Ca), have been investigated. Thermal analysis revealed the homogeneous formation of the glasses. The FTIR spectra reveal that the glasses contain BO₃, BO₄ non-bridging oxygen atoms and strong OH⁻ bonds. From the optical absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω_λ, λ=2, 4 and 6) have been evaluated and are in turn used to predict radiative properties such as radiative transition probability (A), stimulated emission cross-section () and branching ratios (β_R) for the excited levels of Dy³⁺ ions in alkali fluoroborate glasses. The dependence of the spectral characteristics of Dy³⁺ ions due to compositional changes has been examined and reported.     

Unique optical traits of Sm3+ -doped magnesium borate glass

A series of Sm³⁺-doped magnesium borate glasses were prepared using the melt quenching and characterized to determine the effects of various Sm³⁺ contents on their optical traits. The absorption and luminescence spectra of the glasses revealed ten and four significant peaks, respectively. In addition, the experimental results on the optical properties were validated using the Judd-Ofelt (J−O) analyses. The obtained J−O intensity parameters (Ω_λ with λ = 2, 4, 6) confirmed the structural changes in the host network due to the Sm³⁺ doping. The value of Ω₂ for the studied glasses indicated the covalent and asymmetric nature of the Sm³⁺− O² linkages. The achieved J−O radiative parameters (quality factor, branching ratio and stimulated emission cross-section) were highest for the glass made with 0.5 mol% of Sm³⁺, demonstrating its lasing potency. The proposed glass compositions may be beneficial for the photonic devices.     

Optical properties of Ho-doped novel oxyfluoride glasses

Novel oxyfluoride glasses SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Na₂O-ZnF₂ doped with Ho³⁺ and Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ were fabricated. The optical properties of the synthesized glasses were experimentally and theoretically investigated in detail. The experimental and calculated oscillator strengths of Ho³⁺ were determined by measurement of absorption spectrum of Ho³⁺-singly doped glass. According to the Judd-Ofelt theory, the Judd-Ofelt parameters were calculated, by which the radiative transition probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes were obtained. Visible upconversion luminescence was observed under 980 nm diode laser excitation and the influence of Yb³⁺ concentration on the emission bands were also investigated. The dependence of the upconversion emission intensity upon the excitation power was examined, and the upconversion mechanisms were discussed.     

Spectral properties of neodymium in POCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SbCl<Subscript>5</Subscript>-Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The absorption and luminescence spectra of neodymium in a binary inorganic solvent—phosphorus oxychloride-antimony pentachloride—are measured. The spectra are analyzed in terms of the Judd-Ofelt theory. The Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω_λ, the oscillator strengths of the main absorption bands, the spontaneous emission probabilities, the radiative lifetime, the luminescence quantum yields, and the stimulated emission cross sections for the ⁴ F _3/2 → ⁴ I _11/2 laser transition are calculated.     

Effect of heat treatment on the structural and optical properties of tellurite glasses doped erbium

The 75TeO₂–20ZnO–4Na₂CO₃–1Er₂O₃ (in molar ratio) glass system was prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. As such, the samples prepared were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractrometry (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and infrared luminescence. DSC analyses were carried out on our glass at different heating rates between 5 and 20 °C/min. The result of the annealing temperature on the spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺ in tellurite glasses was discussed. The activation energy, for surface crystallization, was determined graphically from a Kissinger-type plot and had a value about 897.2 kJ/mol. Crystalline phases for both α-TeO₂, γ-TeO₂ and Zn₂Te₃O₈ system were determined by the XRD method and were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy characterizations after heat treatment. The effect of heat treatment on absorption spectra and luminescence properties in the tellurite glass was also investigated. With heat treatment, the ultraviolet absorption edge presented a redshift. As a result, the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄, Ω₆) were determined. The spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions, the branching ratio and the radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺ were predicted using intensity J–O parameters. The near infrared emission that corresponds to Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 can be significantly enhanced after heat treatment. Notably, it is found that the luminescence lifetime in the present system is much longer than that in most other glasses and glass ceramics. A comparative study on luminescence performance suggests that the obtained glass ceramic is a promising material for Er³⁺ doped fiber amplifiers.     

Spectroscopy of Ca3(BO3)2: Dy crystal

Dy³⁺: Ca₃(BO₃)₂ crystal was grown successfully by the Czochraski technique. The absorption spectrum was measured and its absorption peaks were assigned. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were found to be Ω₂=5.216×10⁻²⁰, Ω₄=1.858×10⁻²⁰, Ω₆=0.623×10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectroscopic parameters of this crystal such as the oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime as well as the branching ratios were calculated. Also, room temperature luminescence decay curve in correspondence with the emission line ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 centered at 575 nm was measured.     

Thermal stability and spectroscopic properties of Er-doped lead fluorogermanate glasses

The thermal characterization and spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺-doped 0.6GeO₂-(0.4-x)PbO-xPbF₂ glasses were investigated experimentally. With the replacement of PbO by PbF₂ the thermal stability of glasses is improved and the infrared fluorescence intensity at 1530 nm is increased. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, radiative transition rates, and fluorescence lifetimes of the excited ⁴I_13/2 level of Er³⁺ ions were calculated from Judd-Ofelt theory. The asymmetric ligand field around Er³⁺ ions resulted from the incorporation of PbF₂ into germanate glasses, broadens the infrared emission spectra at 1530 nm. Upconversion luminescence in the investigated glasses was observed at room temperature under the excitation of 976 nm laser diode. The glass 0.6GeO₂-0.3PbO-0.1PbF₂ exhibits the maximum upconversion emission intensity, while no frequency upconversion luminescence was observed in the 0.6GeO₂-0.4PbO glass. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that two-photon absorption contributes to the visible emission under the 976-nm excitation.     

Erbium doped phospho-tellurite glasses for 1.5 μm optical amplifiers

Erbium doped phospho-tellurite glasses with the alkali ions sodium and lithium is made and their optical and physical properties are studied. Glasses with high glass transition temperature and phonon energy which are suitable for fabrication of integrated optical amplifiers and lasers is obtained. From the optical absorption spectra the Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω_t) and their radiative lifetimes are calculated. Absorption and emission cross-section spectra of the glasses for the transitions between ⁴I_13/2 and ⁴I_15/2 levels are reported.     

Spectral Investigations on Ho3+ Doped Mixed Alkali Chloroborate Glasses

The optical absorption and emission spectra of two different Ho³⁺ doped mixed alkali chloroborate glasses have been studied in the ultraviolet-visible near-infrared regions. Various spectroscopic parameters like Racah (E¹, E², and E³), spin orbit (ξ_4f), and configuration interaction (α) parameters have been calculated. From the measured spectral intensities of the various absorption bands of Ho³⁺ ion, the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆) have been evaluated and covalency was studied as a function of x in the glass matrices. Using these parameters, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes, branching ratios, and integrated absorption cross-sections have been calculated and reported for certain excited states of Ho³⁺ ion. From the emission spectra, stimulated emission cross-sections are determined for the emission transitions, ⁵F₄, ⁵S₂?→?⁵I₈, and ⁵F₅?→?⁵I₈ in these two mixed alkali chloroborate glasses. An attempt has been made to throw some light on the environment of Ho³⁺ ions in these glass systems by studying the variation in various spectroscopic parameters.