Spectral and Thermal Properties of Dy3+ ions doped Zinc Lithium Sodalime Potassiumniobate Bismuthborate Glasses

Abstract

Glass of the system: (25-x)Bi2O3: 10ZnO: 10Li2O: 10Na2O: 10CaO: 10K2O: 10Nb2O5: 15B2O3: xDy2O3. (where x=1, 1.5,2 mol %) have been prepared by melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the prepared glass samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. DTA curve was analysed to evaluate the glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature and melting temperature. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra were recorded at room temperature for all glass samples. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters ?? (?=2, 4 and 6) are evaluated from the intensities of various absorption bands of optical absorption spectra. The radiative properties like spontaneous emission probability (A), branching ratio (?), radiative life time(?R),stimulated emission cross–section(?p)and thermal properties have been evaluated.

Introduction

This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of Dy³? (Dysprosium)-doped Zinc Lithium Sodalime Potassium Niobate Bismuth Borate (ZLSLPNBB) glasses for potential laser and optical applications. Rare-earth ions, particularly Dy³?, are widely used in lasers, optical amplifiers, displays, fluorescent lamps, and frequency-conversion devices because of their unique luminescent properties.

Background

Borate glasses are attractive host materials for rare-earth ions due to:

• High transparency from near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared regions.
• Good thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability.
• Low melting point and high thermal expansion coefficient.
• High gain density and weak upconversion losses.
• Excellent rare-earth ion solubility.

The addition of Li?O as a network modifier improves the electrical and mechanical properties of the glass.

Objectives

The study aims to:

• Synthesize Dy³?-doped heavy metal oxide borate glasses.
• Investigate their thermal, absorption, and emission properties.
• Evaluate spectroscopic and laser-related parameters using Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory.
• Determine radiative properties such as:
  • Radiative transition probabilities (A)
  • Branching ratios (β)
  • Radiative lifetimes (τR)
  • Stimulated emission cross-sections (σp)

Glass Preparation

Three Dy³?-doped glass samples containing 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mol% Dy?O? were prepared using the melt-quenching method.

Glass composition:

(25−x)Bi2O3:10ZnO:10Li2O:10Na2O:10CaO:10K2O:10Nb2O5:15B2O3:xDy2O3(25-x)Bi_2O_3 : 10ZnO : 10Li_2O : 10Na_2O : 10CaO : 10K_2O : 10Nb_2O_5 : 15B_2O_3 : xDy_2O_3(25−x)Bi2?O3?:10ZnO:10Li2?O:10Na2?O:10CaO:10K2?O:10Nb2?O5?:15B2?O3?:xDy2?O3?

The mixtures were:

• Melted at 960°C for 2 hours.
• Cast into stainless-steel molds.
• Annealed at 350°C for 2 hours to remove internal stresses.

The resulting glasses were transparent and of good optical quality.

Theoretical Analysis

The study uses:

• Oscillator strength calculations to measure absorption transition intensities.
• Judd–Ofelt theory to determine intensity parameters (Ω?, Ω?, Ω?).
• Calculations of:
  • Radiative transition probabilities
  • Fluorescence branching ratios
  • Radiative lifetimes
  • Stimulated emission cross-sections

These parameters help assess the suitability of the glasses as laser materials.

Results

1. XRD Analysis

• X-ray diffraction patterns showed no sharp crystalline peaks.
• Only broad diffuse humps were observed.
• This confirms that the prepared glasses are amorphous (non-crystalline) in nature.

2. Thermal Analysis

• Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) was performed to evaluate thermal behavior.
• Important thermal parameters were determined, including:
  • Glass transition temperature (Tg)
  • Crystallization temperature (Tc)
  • Peak crystallization temperature (Tp)
  • Melting temperature (Tm)
  • Thermal stability (Ts)
  • Balaji Parameter (BP)
  • Hruby Criterion (HR)
  • Reduced glass transition temperature (Trg)
  • Shankar’s parameter

These parameters indicate the thermal stability and glass-forming ability of the material, which are important for optical and laser device fabrication.

Conclusion

In the present study, the glass samples of composition (25-x)Bi2O3: 10ZnO: 10Li2O: 10Na2O: 10CaO: 10K2O: 10Nb2O5:15B2O3:xDy2O3. (where x =1, 1.5and 2mol %) have been prepared by melt-quenching method. The large value of Balaji and Shankar parameters indicate that the prepared glass samples have good thermal stability. The value of stimulated emission cross-section (?p) is found to be maximum for the transition (4F9/2?6H13/2) for all glass specimens. This shows that (4F9/2?6H13/2) transition is most probable transition.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 S. L. Meena. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.