Effect of Sm3+ ions concentration on borosilicate glasses for reddish orange luminescent device applications

Abstract

Zinc Bismuth Strontium Borosilicate (ZnBiSrBSi) glasses doped with varying concentrations of samarium (Sm3+) ions have been synthesized via melt quenching technique and characterized by using XRD, SEM, optical absorption, excitation, Photoluminescence (PL) and decay spectral measurements. The amorphous nature of the as prepared glass has been confirmed by XRD and SEM measurements. The PL spectra recorded for the as-prepared glasses under 403 nm excitation show four emission bands from 4G5/2 level to 6HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 11/2). Among the four emission transitions, 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition at 600 nm is having highest intensity. The intensity of PL spectra in the titled glasses increases with increase in Sm3+ ions concentration up to 0.5 mol% and beyond decreases due to concentration quenching. Dexter theory applied to the emission spectral features reveals the energy transfer mechanism between Sm3+- Sm3+ ions as dipole-dipole in nature. The experimental lifetimes measured from the PL decay profiles for the intense 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition decreases with increase in Sm3+ ions concentration due to energy transfer between Sm3+-Sm3+ ions. All the aforementioned studies finally reveal that 0.5 mol% of Sm3+ ions in ZnBiSrBSi glasses is optimum in fabricating the reddish orange luminescent devices.