Compositional Dependence of Judd‐Ofelt Parameters in Silicate, Borate, and Phosphate Glasses

Abstract

Judd‐Ofelt parameters Ω t with t = 2,4, 6 for the rare‐earth ions Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ , Sm 3+ , Tb 3+ , Dy 3+ , Ho 3+ , Er 3+ , and Tm 3+ in alkali and/or alkaline‐earth silicate, borate, and phosphate glasses have been determined. The variations of Ω t with the number of 4 f electrons of the rare‐earth ions are demonstrated, and factors affecting the Judd‐Ofelt parameter Ω 6 are discussed. The intensity parameter Ω 6 depends on the ionic packing ratio of the glass host by changing modifier type in silicate and borate glasses, and it is independent of that in a series of borate glasses as a function of modifier content and phosphate glasses. The peak wavenumbers of the transitions whose intensities are determined mainly by the Ω 6 <| U (6) |> 2 term—where <| U (6) |> is one of the reduced matrix elements—shift systematically with the values of Ω 6 for all the rare‐earth ions.