Abstract
Glasses with compositions 20MO·xBi2O3·(79.5-x)B2O3 (15 ≤ x ≤ 35, x in mol%,) and 20MO·xSiO2·(79.5-x)Bi2O3 (10 ≤ x ≤ 50, x in mol%, M = Zn and Cd) containing 0.5 mol% Er3+ ions were prepared by normal melt-quench technique (1150°C in air). The effect of host glass composition on the optical absorption and fluorescence spectra of Er3+ ions have been observed with varying contents of Bi2O3. Judd-Ofelt approach has been applied for f-f transition of Er3+ ions to evaluate various intensity parameters viz. Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, 6). The variation of Ω2 with Bi2O3 content has been attributed to change in the asymmetry of ligand field at the rare earth ion site. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were determined from intensities of absorption bands in order to calculate the radiative properties viz. transition probability (Arad), and radiative life-time of the excited states (τr). From the emission spectra, full width at half maxima (FWHM), stimulated emission crosssection (σ) and figure of merit were evaluated and compared with other hosts. The observed NIR emission (4I13/2→4I15/2 at 1.5μm) in Er3+-doped zinc/cadmium bismuth borate/ silicate glasses may be useful in optical communication.
Keywords: Rare-earth ions, Rare-earth doped glasses, Laser Glasses, Oxide glasses, Heavy-metal oxide glasses, Judd-Ofelt theory, Optical material, Optical transition, Absorption spectra, Fluorescence spectra, Physical properties of glasses, FTIR, Radiative transition probability, Radiative lifetime, Stimulated emission crosssection, Figure of merit, Intensity parameters, Melt-quech technique, Matrix elements, Er3+ doped glasses.
