Nd³⁺ doped B<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>+Li<inf>2</inf>O+CaO+CaF<inf>2</inf> glass systems: Structural and optical properties

Abstract

The structural and optical characteristic features of B2O3 + Li2O + CaO + CaF2 (BLCofNd) glasses incorporated with Nd3+ as a dopant of different concentrations (mol%) are reported. The X-ray diffraction technique was used to study structural characteristics such as the amorphous nature of BLCOFNd glass samples, Infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the presence of functional groups and their impact on optical characteristics (FTIR), It reveals the creation of a network by borate and other components with the characteristics of glasses demonstrating different stretching and oscillating behavior of borate functional groups. The recorded UV Vis-NIR spectra of BLCofNd glasses reveal the prepared glasses have strong absorption at 584 nm in the visible region and 805 nm in the NIR region for the transitions 4I9/2→4G5/2 and 4I9/2→4F5/2, these transitions are due to the excitation of electrons by induced absorption. The density (gm/cc) measurements seem to be a rise in the values with a proportionality increase in CaO concentration (mol%), which directly relates to the decrease in the interionic distance (ri) making the glasses optically dense. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4 and Ω6) highlights a covalency symmetry with a higher degree and surrounding lattice distribution of Nd3+ ions with other glass elements present in the network. The radiative properties of BLCOFNd glass samples mainly relate to parameters of radiative transition probability (AR), and corresponding branching ratios (βcal and βrad), which are derived from oscillator strength (fexp) measurements, FWHM or peak bandwidth (Δλp), stimulated emission cross-section and gain bandwidth (σse. Δλp) foresees that BLCofNd glasses are best candidates for laser host materials. The neodymium-doped borate glass exhibits a high peak power due to its emission at 1.049 μm wavelength and has its applications as lasing material and is prominently used as a source to produce the secondary waves in the measurement of pollutants in the atmosphere, optical amplifiers, and in the industry for their high intensity in emitted radiation.