Spectral, Transmittance and luminescencent Properties ofNd3+ Doped Borosilicate Glasses for Laser applications

Abstract

Glass of the system :(25-x)SiO2: 10ZnO: 10Li2O: 10Na2O: 10CaO: 10MgO: 10WO3: 15B2O3:xNd2O3. (where x=1, 1.5,2 mol %) have been prepared by melt-quenching method. The amorphous nature of the glasses was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Optical absorption, Excitation, fluorescence and transmittance spectra were recorded at room temperature for all glass samples. Slater-Condon parameters Fk (k=2, 4, 6), Lande parameter ?4f and Racah parameters Ek (k=1, 2, 3) have been computed. Using these parameters energies and intensities of these bands has been calculated. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters ?? (?=2, 4, 6) are evaluated from the intensities of various absorption bands of optical absorption spectra. Using these intensity parameters various radiative properties like spontaneous emission probability (A), branching ratio (?R), radiative life time (?R) and stimulated emission cross–section (?p) of various emission lines have been evaluated.

Introduction

This study investigates the optical and spectroscopic properties of Nd³? (Neodymium) doped Zinc Lithium Sodalime Magnesium Tungsten Borosilicate (ZLSLMTBS) glasses. Rare-earth-doped glasses are widely used in lasers, optical amplifiers, sensors, and data storage devices because of their high transparency, thermal stability, chemical durability, and excellent luminescent properties. Silicate-based glasses are particularly attractive due to their high refractive index, good transmittance, and ability to accommodate rare-earth ions. The addition of Li?O further improves the solubility of rare-earth ions, enabling higher dopant concentrations.

Objectives

The main objective of the study is to analyze the absorption and emission characteristics of Nd³? doped ZLSLMTBS glasses and evaluate important laser parameters using Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory. These parameters include:

• Oscillator strengths
• Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω?, Ω?, Ω?)
• Radiative transition probabilities (A)
• Branching ratios (βR)
• Radiative lifetimes (τR)
• Stimulated emission cross-sections (σp)

Glass Preparation

Three Nd³?-doped glass samples containing 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mol% Nd?O? were prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The raw materials were melted at 1025°C, poured into preheated molds, and annealed at 250°C to remove internal stresses. The resulting samples were transparent and of good optical quality.

Theoretical Analysis

The study employs:

• Oscillator strength calculations to measure absorption transition intensities.
• Judd–Ofelt theory to determine intensity parameters and predict radiative properties.
• Calculations of radiative lifetime, branching ratio, and stimulated emission cross-section to assess laser performance.
• Nephelauxetic ratio (β') and bonding parameter (b¹/²) to investigate the nature of Nd–O bonding and covalency in the glass matrix.

Results

XRD Analysis

• X-ray diffraction patterns showed only broad diffuse humps and no sharp Bragg peaks.
• This confirms that the prepared glasses possess an amorphous (non-crystalline) structure.

Optical Transmittance

• The glasses exhibited good optical transparency, indicating suitability for photonic and laser applications.

Absorption Spectra

• Nine absorption bands corresponding to transitions from the Nd³? ground state (^4I?/?) to various excited states were observed.
• The identified transitions include:
  • ^4F?/?
  • ^4F?/?
  • ^4F?/?
  • ^4F?/?
  • ^2H??/?
  • ^4G?/?
  • ^4G?/?
  • ^4G?/?
  • ^2G?/?

Oscillator Strength Analysis

• Experimental oscillator strengths closely matched the values calculated using Judd–Ofelt theory

Conclusion

In the present study, the glass samples of composition :(25-x)SiO2: 10ZnO: 10Li2O: 10Na2O: 10CaO: 10MgO: 10WO3: 15B2O3:xNd2O3. (where x =1, 1.5, 2 mol %) have been prepared by melt-quenching method. The stimulated emission cross section (?p) has highest value for the transition (4F3/2?4I11/2) in all the glass specimens doped with Nd3+ ion. This shows that (4F3/2?4I11/2) transition is most probable transition. The results show that the Nd3+ doped borosilicate glasses could be potential candidates for laser applications.

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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.