Abstract
The melt quenching technique was used to prepare Er3+ ion doped phosphate glasses containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The amorphous nature of the glass is confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns. Homogeneous distribution of spherical Ag NPs was shown from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The EDX analysis shows the presence of Ag element. The DSC measurements indicate a relatively good thermal stability of the prepared glass samples. The characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of Ag NPs was observed in the range of 420-570 nm in the optical absorption spectra. The SPR band stimulated by the presence of Ag NPs enhanced both the photoluminescence (PL) intensity and the fluorescence lifetime relative to the I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition of Er3+ ion. Ideal PL enhancement was obtained after 12 h of heat-treatment. The results indicate that there is a large influence of nucleation and growth of silver NPs on the optical and spectroscopic properties of the glass samples. The present results indicate that the glass heat-treated for 12 h has a good prospect as a gain medium applied for 1.53 mu m band broad and high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.