Physical, structural, and luminescence studies of Nd3+ doped MgO-ZnO borate glass

Abstract

A series of borate glass of the system xNd2O3-5MgO-20ZnO-(75 − x)B2O3, where x = 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 was successfully fabricated using melt quench method. The properties of the glass were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), absorption and luminescence spectra. The upconversion properties of Nd3+ doped borate glass were observed by using 574 nm excitation wavelength corresponding to 4I15/2 → 2H114/2 transition. The emission bands centered at 460, 500 and 620 nm which corresponding to the Nd3+ transitions, 4F7/2 → 4I15/2, 2H11/2 → 4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 respectively were observed at room temperature. The presence of Nd3+ in borate based glass could intensify the upconversion luminescence spectra as it can potentially be used as host materials for upconversion lasers.