Composition dependent structural and optical properties of Sm3+ doped boro-tellurite glasses

Boro-tellurite glasses with the composition (69-x)H3BO3+xTeO(2)+15MgCO(3)+15K(2)CO(3)+1Sm(2)O(3) (where x=0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) doped with trivalent samarium have been prepared and their structural and spectroscopic behavior were studied and reported. The FTIR spectra reveal the presence of BO3 and BO4 non-bridging oxygen as well as strong OH- bonds in the prepared glasses. Through the optical absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Omega(lambda), lambda=2, 4 and 6) have been evaluated and the same is in turn used to predict radiative properties such as radiative transition probability (A), stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(E)(P)) and branching ratios (beta(R)) for the excited levels of Sm3+ ions corresponding to (4)G(5/2)-> H-6(5/2), (4)G(5/2)-> H-6(7/2), (4)G(5/2)-> H-6(9/2) and (4)G(5/2)-> H-6(11/2) transitions. Structural and spectral dependence of the Sm3+ ions due to the compositional changes have been examined and reported. The lifetime of the (4)G(5/2) 'level is found to be non-exponential for all the prepared glasses indicating a cross-relaxation among the Sm3+ ions. The structural and spectroscopic results corresponding to compositional changes have been compared with the similar studies and reported. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.