Structural and optical characterization of oxygenated CdTe/Sm3+ in sol–gel silica glasses

Oxygenated cadmium telluride co-doped with rare earth element samarium is prepared by sol–gel method. Sample is air annealed at 200, 500 and 800 °C. The absorption and fluorescence spectra are analysed using Judd–Ofelt analysis to obtain J–O parameters. X-ray spectroscopy analysis shows the presence of thermally grown CdTeO3 phase developed at the expense of CdTe phase on heat treatment for samples annealed at 800 °C. The FT-IR spectrum of the sample is taken at different annealing temperatures and the assignments of the absorption bands are compiled which shows the gradual evolution of the rigid glassy network formed. Enhanced fluorescence from air annealed Co-doped samples are also investigated.