Structural and optical investigations of Eu3+ ions in lead containing alkali fluoroborate glasses

Lead containing alkali fluoroborate glasses (LAFB) with molar composition of 20PbO + 5CaO + 5ZnO + 10AF + 59B2O3 + 1Eu2O3 (where A = Li, Na and K) were prepared and investigated by the TG-DTA, FT-Raman, optical absorption, fluorescence and decay curve analysis. The influence of alkali content on the structure of borate glasses was investigated by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the glasses have been studied by TG-DTA analysis. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters are derived from the absorption spectra and also from the emission spectra under various constraints. The effect of thermalization on the oscillator strengths of the absorption transitions originating from the ground (7F0) and the first excited (7F1) states of Eu3+ ions have been discussed. The J–O intensity parameters obtained by applying thermal correction to 7F0 → 5D2 and 7F6 absorption oscillator strengths were used to calculate the various spectroscopic properties. The predicted values of radiative lifetime (τR) and luminescence intensity branching ratio (βR) are compared with the measured values for 5D0 level. The decay profiles were found to be single exponential in all the three glasses. The spectroscopic properties confirm the potentiality of present LAFB glasses doped with Eu3+ ions as laser host materials to produce an intense red luminescence at 612 nm corresponding to 5D0 → 7F2 emission level and have significant importance in the development of emission rich optical systems.

► In this study we prepared LAFB glasses doped with Eu3+ ions.
► Glasses are characterized with TG-DTA, FT-Raman, absorption, and emission analysis.
► The effect of thermalization has been discussed.
► Judd–Ofelt theory is used to calculate radiative and fluorescence properties.
► Present glasses are useful for the development of optoelectronic devices.