Impact of ZnO on spectroscopic and luminescence characteristics of Sm2O3–SrO–B2O3 glasses for warm reddish orange light emitting applications

Abstract

Sm2O3–SrO–B2O3 glasses containing ascending ratios of ZnO were created via the standard melt quenching approach. The optical and luminescent properties were assessed by analysing absorption, reflectance, excitation, and emission spectra obtained from measurements. The density, molar volume, metallization criterion, optical basicity, optical bandgap, Urbach energy, and dispersion parameters were evaluated and discussed. The spectral radiative transitions of the Sm3+ ion in different excited states were investigated using the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theorem. The least square fit method was used to evaluate the J–O intensity parameters, which were subsequently utilized to determine radiative characteristics including transition probability, branching ratio, and lifetime. For all glasses, the reddish orange transition 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 demonstrated the highest strength and had the maximum values for stimulated emission cross section, radiative transition probability, and gain bandwidth. The chromaticity coordinates fell within the reddish orange region and the colour correlated temperatures ranged from 1840 to 1935 K, suggesting the suitability of the glasses for warm reddish orange emission-based laser and photonic applications.