Spectroscopic and electrical properties of europium doped bismuth antimony fluoroborate glasses

Abstract

Strong luminescence in the red spectral region is a well-known characteristic of the trivalent europium ion (Eu3+). We investigate a novel europium doped glassy substance for their use in optical devices, optoelectronics and radiation shielding. By using the traditional melt quenching technique, Bismuth antimony fluoroborate glasses are synthesized. XRD investigations support the amorphous nature of the material. Spectral measurements of absorption, photoluminescence (PL) excitation, PL emission, and PL decay curve are made in order to study the lasing properties. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters, from emission spectra, exhibit the trend Ω2> Ω4 furthermore used to find the radiative parameters-transition probability (AR), branching ratio (βR), radiative lifetime (τR), and stimulated emission cross-section (σse) for all the glasses. Decay curves show single exponential behavior and is used to find the quantum efficiency of the prepared glasses. The dielectric properties (dielectric constant (ɛ′), dielectric loss (ɛ″)), impedance and electrical conductivity (σac) of these glasses with variation in frequency have also been studied at the ambient temperature. The radiation shielding properties are evaluated for the photon energy range (1 keV–15 MeV). Based on the trends noticed in the radiative parameters, electrical conductivities and radiation shielding parameters, the present glasses could be found useful as optoelectronic devices, non-linear optical materials, battery anode materials and radiation shielding purposes.