Spectral characteristics of Er3+ doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glasses

This paper evaluates the spectroscopic properties of the Erbium (Er3+) ions doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glass system synthesized via melt-quenching method. Prepared glass samples are characterized using UV-Vis-NIR absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to determine the Er3+ ions concentration dependent spectral characteristics. The absorption spectra displayed nine prominent absorption bands aroused from the ground state (4I15/2) to the excited state (4I13/2, 4I11/2, 4I9/2, 4F9/2, 2H11/2, 4F7/2, 4F3/2, 2H9/2 and 4G11/2) transitions of Er3+ ion. The intensity parameters (Ω2,Ω4andΩ6) and radiative properties associated to the spectral transitions of Er3+ ion are calculated using Judd-Ofelt (JO) expressions. Room temperature PL spectra revealed two significant emission bands centered at 541 and 654 nm. Appearance of luminescence intensity quenching beyond 1 mol% of Er3+ is attributed to the cross-relaxation mechanism. The value of stimulated emission cross-section for 4S3/2→4I15/2 spectroscopic transition in Er3+ ion is found to be very high (85.8211 × 10−22 cm2). Present glass composition is demonstrated to be advantageous for various photonic applications.