Raman and photoluminescence studies of europium doped zinc-fluorophosphate glasses for photonic applications

Abstract

Europium (Eu3+)-doped zinc-fluorophosphate (PKAZfEu) glasses have been synthesized by usual melt-quenching technique. Optical absorption, photoluminescence excitation, photoluminescence and decay curves of these glasses were measured at room temperature and investigated. The Judd-Ofelt (JO) parameters (Ωλ, λ = 2 and 4) were determined from the measured emission spectra and used for quantifying the radiative parameters that include radiative transition probability (AR), radiative lifetime (τR), branching ratios (βR), effective bandwidths (∆λeff) and peak stimulated emission cross-section (σ(λP)) for the 5D0 luminescent state of Eu3+. The electron-phonon coupling strength and phonon energy of the glasses were obtained from the phonon sideband spectrum. The chromaticity coordinates for different concentration of PKAZfEu glasses were evaluated by analyzing the emission spectra with Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) color diagram. Decay curves of Eu3+ ions for the 5D0 → 7F2 transition have been obtained under 393 nm excitation. The decay curves exhibit a single exponential behavior for all the investigated glasses. Luminescence properties of Eu3+ ion for the 5DO → 7F2 transition indicate that the PKAZfEu glasses could be a suitable gain medium for visible red lasers and display devices.