Optical properties of Eu3+ions in lead tungstate tellurite glasses

Lead tungstate tellurite (LTT) glasses doped with different concentrations of Eu3+ ions have been prepared by the conventional melt quenching method. From the absorption spectrum, it has been observed that the bands originated both from the ground (F-7(0)) and the first excited (F-7(1)) states. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Omega(2) and Omega(4) have been evaluated from the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) and D-5(0) -> F-7(4) emission transitions respectively. The evaluated J-O intensity parameters have been used to calculate different radiative and laser characteristic parameters of the D-5(0) excited level. The large magnitudes of stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(e)) and branching ratio (beta(R)) obtained for D-5(0) -> F-7(2) (0.62 mu m) transition suggests that the LTTEu20 glass could be more suitable for lasing action in the visible region. The measured lifetime of D-5(0) excited state increases with increase of Eu3+ concentration due to increasing asymmetry around the Eu3+ ions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.