ESR and spectral studies of Er3+ ions in soda-lime silicate glass

Electron spin resonance (ESR), optical absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra of Er3+ ions in soda-lime silicate glasses doped with different concentrations of Er2O3 have been studied. The glasses of the composition (in mol%) (65-x)SiO2:25Na2O:10CaO:xEr2O3 (where x=0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were prepared by the melt quenching method. ESR measurements were carried out at room temperature down to 1.62 K. Absorption spectra were investigated in the UV–VIS–NIR region from 300 to 1800 nm. Photoluminescence spectra were observed in the spectral range 500–800 nm under 514.5 nm argon-ion laser line excitation.