Spectral analysis of Sm3+ and Dy3+: B2O3–ZnO–PbO glasses

This paper reports on the spectral results of Sm3+ or Dy3+ (1.0 mol%) ions-doped B2O3–ZnO–PbO (BZP) glasses. Measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) profiles of these rare-earth ion-doped glasses have been carried out. From the DSC thermograms, glass transition (Tg), crystallization (Tc) and melting (Tm) temperatures have been evaluated. Direct and indirect optical band gaps have been calculated based on the glasses UV absorption spectra. These glasses have shown strong absorption bands in the near-infrared (NIR) region and their oscillator strengths have been computed. Emission bands of 4G5/2→6H5/2 (564 nm), 4G5/2→6H7/2 (602 nm), 4G5/2→6H9/2 (647 nm) and 4G5/2→6H11/2 (710 nm) for the Sm3+: glass, with excitation at 6H5/2→4I9/2 (484 nm) have been recorded. Of them, 4G5/2→ 6H7/2 (602 nm) has shown a bright emission. With regard to the Dy3+: glass, a bright fluorescent yellow emission at 576 nm (4F9/2→6H13/2) has been observed, apart from 4F9/2→6H15/2 (484 nm) and 4F9/2→6H11/2 (666 nm) emission transitions with excitation at 450 nm (6H15/2→4I15/2) excitation wavelength. Stimulated emission cross-sections of all the emission bands of Sm3+ and Dy3+: BZP glasses have been computed based on their measured Δλ (FWHM) and measured lifetimes (τm).