Effect of Sm3+ doping on new formulation bismuth-zinc-borate glass for optical applications
摘要
Glass samples of Bismuth Zinc Borate (BiZnB) with varying amounts of samarium (Sm3+) ions were synthesized using the melt-quenching method. These samples were subjected to a series of tests to evaluate their physical properties, optical behaviour, and luminescent characteristics. The glass samples exhibited a rise in molar volume and density, ranging from 24.09 to 25.41 cm3/mol and 3.325 to 3.342 g/cm3. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the glasses maintained an amorphous structure. At the same time, there was a noticeable reduction in band gaps, with the direct band gap dropping from 3.68 eV to 3.63 eV and the indirect band gap shifting from 3.57 eV to 3.48 eV. The refractive index exhibited an upward trend, rising from 2.258 to 2.279 in correlation with the concentration of Sm3+. Exciting Sm3-doped BiZnB glasses at 365 nm captured emission spectra within the 510–700 nm range. Regardless of the Sm3⁺ concentration, three distinct emission bands emerged at 563 nm (4G5/2 → 6H5/2), 599 nm (4G5/2 → 6H7/2), and 645 nm (4G5/2 → 6H9/2). The highest emission was observed for the 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition in the orange-red (599 nm) visible region at 1.5 mol% of Sm3+. The colour coordinates for the BiZnBSm1.5 glass are closer to the orange-red area, which suggests that a 1.5 mol% concentration of Sm3+ ions is ideal for BiZnB glasses. It is therefore a strong contender for application in optoelectronic devices.