Structural and luminescence properties of Sm³⁺‐doped bismuth phosphate glass for orange‐red photonic applications

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃ ) content on the structural and optical properties of 0.5Sm³⁺ -doped phosphate glass and the effect of concentration on structural and optical properties of Sm³⁺ -doped bismuth phosphate (BiP) glass were studied. Structural characterization was accomplished using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ³¹ P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Optical properties were studied using absorption, photoluminescence and decay measurements. Using optical absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt parameters were derived to determine the local structure and bonding in the vicinity of Sm³⁺ ions. The emission spectra of Sm³⁺ -doped BiP glass showed two intense emission bands, ⁴ G_5/2 →⁶ H_7/2 (orange) and ⁴ G_5/2 →⁶ H_9/2 (red) for which the stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_e ) and branching ratios (β) were found to be higher. The quantum efficiencies were also calculated from decay measurements recorded for the ⁴ G_5/2 level of Sm³⁺ ions. The suitable combination of Bi₂ O₃ (10 mol%) and Sm³⁺ (0.5 mol%) ions in these glasses acted as an efficient lasing material and might be suitable for the development of visible orange-red photonic materials.