Structure and luminescent properties of Sm3+-doped metaphosphate glasses

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of the phosphate network topology on the luminescent properties of mixed sodium/alkaline earths metaphosphate glasses doped with Sm 2 O 3 . The glasses were obtained using the melt quenching technique and analysed preliminarily by X-ray diffraction to confirm the vitreous nature of the samples. Raman spectroscopy, density, and thermal analyses were pursued to validate the persistence of metaphosphate chains and examine dopant-induced effects on the phosphate network. The fluorescence analyses of the glasses show the regular emission lines of Sm 3+ starting from the 4 G 5/2 energy level to the 6 H J/2 manifold with the largest transition in the red-orange part at 595 nm. An additional emission line starting from the higher excited state 4 F 3/2 to 6 H 5/2 between 520 and 540 nm was also detected with different intensities in all the studied compositions. This peculiar luminescence was correlated with the structure/topology of the glasses using the Judd-Ofelt theory together with the radiative and non-radiative properties of the host compositions. • The glass structure and properties did not change upon Sm 2 O 3 addition. • The changing topology of the glasses affects the luminescence of Sm 3+ . • The Ω 6 parameter indicate a very low vibrational amplitude of Sm 3+ -ligands bonds. • Defects related to NBO induce energy transfer to Sm 3+ ions.