Nd3+ CONCENTRATION DEPENDENT OPTICAL FEATURES OF GADOLINIUM BOROPHOSPHO-TELLURITE GLASSES

Abstract

Improving the optical response of glass host with two or more strong network formers via suitable controlled of rare earth ions is the key issue in the fabrication of optical based glass for solid state lasers and light emitting devices. Hence, we report the Nd³⁺ concentration dependent on optical parameters such as absorption edge, optical band gap (direct and indirect) and Urbach’s energy of gadolinium borophospho-tellurite glasses with chemical composition of 10Gd₂O + 30B₂O₃ + 20P₂O₅ + (40-)TeO2 + Nd₂O₃ (where 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 mol%). The glass samples were synthesized by convectional melt quenching method and characterized through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet Visible Near-Infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) measurements. The amorphous nature of these glasses was confirmed by X-Ray diffraction pattern while the UV-Vis-NIR spectra revealed six absorption peaks corresponding to the transition from ground level ⁴I_9/2 to the various excited state of Nd³⁺ ions. It was found that the investigated range of Nd³⁺ doping concentrations has a great influence on aforementioned parameters. The excellent optical features established in the present glass host suggest their potentiality for solid-state lasers and other photonic applications.

Bulus, I. | Department of Physics, School of Sciences, Kaduna State College of Education Gidan waya, Kafanchan, Nigeria