Spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ doped lead bismosilicate glasses using Judd-Ofelt theory

The spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ ions in lead bismosilicate glasses (PBSS) as a function of bismuth oxide were investigated using optical absorption and fluorescence spectra. These glasses have shown strong absorption and emission bands in the near infrared and visible region respectively. From the measured absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Omega(2), Omega(4) and Omega(6) were determined by applying least square analysis method. The variation of Omega(2) and Omega(6) with Bi2O3 content has been attributed to changes in the asymmetry of the ligand field at the rare earth ion site and to the changes in the rare earth oxygen (RE-O) covalency. The variation of Omega(4) with Bi2O3 content has been attributed to rigidity of the samples. Using the Judd Ofelt intensity parameters the other radiative properties like radiative transition probability, radiative life time, branching ratio and the stimulated emission cross-sections of prepared PBSS glasses have been calculated. The values of radiative properties indicate that Sm3+ ions emit intense reddish-orange emission ((4)G(5/2) -> H-6(7/2)) under excitation at 450 nm wavelength. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.