Optical properties of Nd3+ doped bismuth zinc borate glasses

Glasses with compositions of (100-x) (Bi2ZnOB2O6) -x Nd2O3 (where x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 2 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching method and characterized through optical absorption, emission and decay curve measurements. Optical absorption spectra have been analyzed using Judd-Ofelt theory. The emission spectra exhibit three peaks at 919, 1063 and 1337 nm corresponding to F-4(3/2) to I-4(9/2), I-4(11/2) and I-4(13/2) transitions in the near infrared region. The emission intensity of the F-4(3/2) to I-4(11/2) transition increases with increase of Nd3+ concentration up to 1 mol% and then concentration quenching is observed for 2 mol% of Nd3+ concentration. The lifetimes for the F-4(3/2) level are found to decrease with increase in Nd2O3 concentration in the glasses. The decay curves of the glass up to 0.3 mol% of Nd3+ exhibit single exponential nature and thereafter the curves become nonexponential nature (0.5, 1 and 2 mol%). The nonexponential curve has been fitted to the Inokuti-Hirayama model to understand the nature of energy transfer process. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.