Structural and spectroscopic studies on Er3+ doped boro-tellurite glasses

Er3+ doped boro-tellurite glasses with the chemical composition (69−x)B2O3−xTeO2−15MgO−15K2O−1Er2O3 (where x=0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) have been prepared and their structural and spectroscopic behavior were studied and reported. The varying tellurium dioxide content in the host matrix that results, changes in structural and spectroscopic behavior around Er3+ ions are explored through XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS-NIR and luminescence measurements. The XRD pattern confirms the amorphous nature of the prepared glasses and the FTIR spectra explore the fundamental groups and the local structural units in the prepared boro-tellurite glasses. The bonding parameters (β¯ and δ) have been calculated from the observed band positions of the absorption spectra to claim the ionic/covalent nature of the prepared glasses. The Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters Ωλ (λ=2, 4 and 6) were determined through experimental and calculated oscillator strengths obtained from the absorption spectra and their results are studied and compared with reported literature. The variation in the JO parameters Ωλ (λ=2, 4 and 6) with the change in chemical composition have been discussed in detail. The JO parameters have also been used to derive the important radiative properties like transition probability (A), branching ratio (βR) and peak stimulated emission cross-section (σPE) for the excited state transitions 2H9/2→4I15/2 and 2H11/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 of the Er3+ ions and the results were studied and reported. Using Davis and Mott theory, optical band gap energy (Eopt) values for the direct and indirect allowed transitions have been calculated and discussed along with the Urbach energy values for the prepared Er3+ doped boro-tellurite glasses in the present study. The optical properties of the prepared glasses with the change in tellurium dioxide have been studied and compared with similar results.