Structural and luminescence studies of europium ions in lithium aluminium borophosphate glasses

Eu3+ doped borophosphate glasses with the chemical composition 20Li2O-30Al2O3-10B2O3-40P2O5-xEu2O3 (where x=0.05 mol.%, 0.1 mol.%, 1.0 mol.%, 1.5 mol.% and 2.0 mol.%) were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique. The structural and luminescence properties of the prepared Eu3+ doped borophosphate glasses were studied and compared with reported results. The XRD pattern showed the amorphous nature of the prepared glasses. Whereas, the FTIR spectra revealed the vibrational modes in the prepared glasses. The bonding parameters ( β¯ and δ) were calculated through the excitation spectra. Judd–Ofelt (J–O) intensity parameters were calculated from the emission spectra and were used to determine transition probability (A), stimulated emission cross-section (σEP), radiative lifetime (τR) and branching ratios (βexp) for the transition 5D0→7Fj (j=1, 2, 3 and 4) of Eu3+ ions. Furthermore, the luminescence intensity ratio (R) of 5D0→7F2 to 5D0→7F1 transition was also calculated. Transition 5D0→7F2 had the highest value of stimulated emission cross-section and branching ratios and the results were comparable with the reported values. This indicated that the present glass is promising host material for Eu3+ doped fiber amplifiers.

Graphical AbstractExcitation (a) and emission (b) spectra for different concentrations of Eu3+ ions in lithium aluminium borophosphate glassesFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide