Optical and FTIR spectra of NdF3-doped borophosphate glasses and effect of gamma irradiation

UV–visible, FTIR absorption spectra of some prepared undoped and NdF3-doped borophosphate glasses with varying dopant contents were studied before and after gamma irradiation. The base undoped borophosphate glass exhibits strong UV absorption which is related to the presence of unavoidable trace iron impurities within the chemicals used for the preparation of such glass. NdF3-doped samples show characteristic bands specifically at high concentration which are attributed to the Nd3+ ions.Gamma irradiation on the undoped borophosphate glass causes no obvious induced defects. On the other hand, the low NdF3 content glass produces extended UV absorption together with the resolution of an extra induced visible at about 500 nm. On increasing the NdF3 content, gamma irradiation retains the characteristic bands due to Nd3+ ions. Infrared absorption spectra of undoped and NdF3-doped glasses reveal characteristic IR vibrational bands due to the combination of both phosphate and borate groups (BO3 and BO4) with the first phosphate partner dominating in response to the high percent (50 mol%). The introduction of NdF3 within the dopant level (1.5–6%) produces no distinct effect on the FTIR spectra.Gamma irradiation is observed to cause no obvious effects on the FTIR spectra which is related to the stability of mixed phosphate and borate units causing the compactness and resistance towards gamma irradiation.

Highlight
► Base brophosphate glass and glasses doped with NdF were prepared.
► FTIR and UV–Vis. absorption were measured before and after gamma irradiation.
► UV optical data reveals some different changes that related to composition.
► FTIR shows minor variation which are interpreted and discussed.