Optical properties of Nd3+ doped bismuth zinc borate glasses.

Glasses with compositions of (100-x) (Bi2ZnOB2O6) -x Nd2O3 (where x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 2 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching method and characterized through optical absorption, emission and decay curve measurements. Optical absorption spectra have been analyzed using Judd-Ofelt theory. The emission spectra exhibit three peaks at 919, 1063 and 1337 nm corresponding to (4)F3/2 to (4)I9/2, (4)I11/2 and (4)I13/2 transitions in the near infrared region. The emission intensity of the (4)F3/2 to (4)I11/2 transition increases with increase of Nd(3+) concentration up to 1 mol% and then concentration quenching is observed for 2 mol% of Nd(3+) concentration. The lifetimes for the (4)F3/2 level are found to decrease with increase in Nd2O3 concentration in the glasses. The decay curves of the glass up to 0.3 mol% of Nd(3+) exhibit single exponential nature and thereafter the curves become nonexponential nature (0.5, 1 and 2 mol%). The nonexponential curve has been fitted to the Inokuti-Hirayama model to understand the nature of energy transfer process.