On the optical properties of Er3+ ions activated magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glass: Role of silver nanoparticles sensitization

Effects of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) on the physical and optical properties of erbium ions (Er3+) doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glasses of composition (59.5-x)P2O5-20.0MgO-20.0ZnSO4-0.5Er2O3-xAgCl (where x ≤ 1.5 mol%) were examined. Transparent bubble free glasses were prepared using melt quenching method. As-quenched samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to determine the feasibility of achieving their improved optical properties useful for photonic devices. Furthermore, Judd-Ofelt intensity and radiative parameters were evaluated to complement the experimental observations. XRD patterns of as-quenched samples confirmed their amorphous nature. TEM images of glasses revealed the nucleation of Ag NPs with average size of 10 nm. UV-Vis spectra of glasses exhibited nine absorption bands assigned to 4f-4f transitions of Er3+ ions. An enhancement in the PL emission intensities corresponding to the 2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 transitions by a factor of 6 and 5 were achieved. Such enhancement was attributed to the local field effect (LFE) stimulated by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag NPs alongside energy transfer mechanism among Er3+ ions and Ag NPs.