Abstract
Unconventional bismuth (Bi2O3) glasses containing zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO), and samarium oxide (Sm2O3) were prepared using a melt quenching technique. The glass density was observed to decrease as the Sm2O3 increased, from 6.881 g/cm3 for 1% Sm2O3 to 6.618 g/cm3 for 7% Sm2O3, due to the replacement of lead content density by samarium content density. Optical absorption spectra were recorded and the optical parameters, such as the optical transition, optical electronegativity, refractive index, high frequency dielectric constant, single oscillator energy, and dispersive energy were determined. The optical parameter values were correlated to the ratio of Sm2O3. The Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory was applied to the absorption spectra of the glass to predict the radiative and laser properties. The JO parameters (Ω2, Ω4, Ω6) were found to be Ω4 > Ω2 > Ω6 and related to the glass structure. These glasses were exposed to apply in photonic applications.
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•Unconventional zinc lead bismuth glass containing samarium oxide was prepared.•The density values decreased from 6.881 to 6.618 g/cm3 as Sm3+ ions increased.•The optical transition decreased from 3.173 eV to 2.990 eV as Sm3+ ions increased.•The Judd–Ofelt parameters were Ω4>Ω2>Ω6, where Ω4 and Ω6 related to the rigidity.•Low values of Ω2 related to the low covalence and high symmetry of Sm3+ ions.