Abstract
The 10BaO–20ZnO–20LiF-(50-x)B2O3-xEr2O3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mol %) glass system was studied for green emission device, NIR laser, and optical amplifier applications. The impact of Er3+ doping was assessed through structural, optical, and thermal properties. The Er3+ ions behaved as network modifiers and decreased the network rigidity by the transformation of [BO4]→[BO3] and Non-Bridging Oxygens. This was consistent with the decrease in the glass transition temperature. Ten absorption peaks of Er3+ ion equivalent to transitions from 4I15/2 to various excited levels were quantified through their oscillator strengths. Through broadband impedance spectroscopy, the insulating property of the glass system was authenticated by the persistence of dc-conductivity in the order of 10−10 Scm−1 up to 523 K. With 378 nm excitation, a violet emission (2H9/2→4I15/2) and two intense green emissions (2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2) were noticed. The NIR emission (4I13/2→4I15/2) was observed at 1531 nm with 378 and 980 nm excitations and the corresponding decay curves were recorded. The Inokuti-Hirayama model indicated the increase in the energy transfer and reduction in critical distance amid the Er3+ ions with doping leading to energy migration through cross-relaxations and lifetime quenching. The laser parameters were determined from Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg theory. The color coordinates of the samples were lying in the green region, with purity >89% and CCT >6000 K. The gain coefficient from McCumber theory was positive for a population inversion >50%, with a wide gain between 1460 and 1565 nm, extending the application of the glass system as an optical amplifier in the S + C communication window.
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•Spectroscopic study of BaO–ZnO–LiF–B2O3–Er2O3 glass system.•Good thermal stability for optical fiber-drawing.•CIE coordinates in green region, color purity >89%, and CCT >6000 K.•NIR emission (4I13/2→4I15/2) at 1531 nm, decay time 0.57–0.37 ms with Er2O3 doping.•Wide gain in the S + C communication window for optical amplifier application.