The effect of SiO2 content on structural, physical and spectroscopic properties of Er3 + doped B2O3–SiO2–Na2O–PbO–ZnO glass systems

Abstract

Er3+ doped borosilicate glasses were prepared by standard method with the chemical composition (50−x) B2O3–(10+x) SiO2–10 Na2O–20 PbO–10 ZnO–0.3 Er2O3 (where x=0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40). The prepared glass samples were characterized by XRD, EDAX, FTIR, SEM and TEM. XRD reveals the amorphous nature of the glass samples. Various band positions are confirmed by the FTIR and borate network is present in the wavelength region 650–1700cm−1. Elemental composition of the glass samples were observed by EDAX. Variation of physical and optical parameters with increasing concentration of SiO2 affects the glass structure. Decrease in the value of Oxygen Packing Density (OPD) with increasing concentration of SiO2 shows loosely packed structure of glass samples. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were recorded in Visible and NIR region at room temperature. Judd–Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters were calculated by using oscillator strength and the order of these parameters is Ω2>Ω4>Ω6. Radiative properties were obtained by JO parameters and fluorescence spectra. A bright green emission is observed for the transition 2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and it is further confirmed by Commission Internationale de l' Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity diagram. 2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 is suitable for green lasers. This gives the suitability of the present glass sample for fibre optics amplifier and photonic application.