Photoluminescence and nonlinear optical investigations on Eu2O3 doped sodium bismuth borate glasses for solid state lighting and near-infrared optical limiting applications

Abstract

Tri–positive rare earth ions activated alkali heavy metal borate glasses were designed and synthesised using melt–quenching process. Photoluminescence (PL), nonlinear optical (NLO), and optical limiting (OL) attributes of titled glasses have been systematically investigated in order to understand the efficacy of tri–valent europium ions and the obtained results are discussed in detail. The PL attributes were assessed with the blue light pumping. The NLO and OL features were evaluated in 700–1000 nm spectral region using femtosecond laser pulses. The two–photon absorption and nonlinear refractive index coefficients were found to be increased with elevation of Eu2O3 content to higher doping whereas the OL threshold factors exhibited an opposite behaviour. The PL and Judd–Ofelt analysis revealed the glass matrices containing high concertation of tri–valent europium ions are more useful for red lighting applications when excited with blue light. NLO and OL results suggest the strong Eu3+ containing glasses are ideal materials for designing optical limiters of high power to work in near infrared region with femtosecond pulses.