In this work, samarium (Sm3+) ions were added in different amounts (0.1 to 1 mol%) to prepare cadmium zinc bismuth phosphate (CBZP) glasses utilizing the melt quenching method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, decay measurements, photoluminescence, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the glasses. The glasses’ amorphous nature was verified by X-ray diffraction data. Different vibrational peaks in the 600–2000 \({\text{cm}}^{ - 1}\) region were visible in the FTIR spectra. On the basis of absorption spectra, the values of optical band gaps, both direct and indirect are decreased with increasing concentration of Sm3+ ions, whereas the values of other parameters, such as urbach energy and refractive index are increased. In addition, compared with other transitions, the 6H5/2 → 6F7/2 transition exhibits greater oscillator strength values. Chromaticity coordinates, correlated color temperature, and color purity values are calculated from emission data. The chromaticity coordinates of all glasses are well placed in orange-red spectral region of the CIE 1931 diagram. All spectroscopic parameters calculated in the present work indicate that the present glasses are suitable for orange-red LEDs applications.
