Abstract
Rare earth (RE)–doped glasses with high quantum efficiency and strong photoluminescence (PL) characteristics are essential for next generation photonic and optoelectronic devices. To attain strong PL emission and related attributes of Er
3+
-doped in glass system, the silver nanoparticles (NPs) were embedded. UV-Vis absorption and microscopic measurements divulged the existence of metallic silver NPs. The PL emission of Er
3+
-doped in titled glasses was improved in visible and infrared spectral ranges as AgNO
3
concentration escalated to higher level. In addition, the quantum efficiency also enhanced as the AgNO
3
doping level escalated to a higher level. The enhancements in PL emission intensity and quantum efficiency were ascribed to the local field induced by surface plasmons of Ag NPs. The outcomes suggest that the high concentration of Ag NPs routed in Er
3+
-doped glass system is useful in fabricating the optical amplifiers and solid-state lasers.