Spectroscopic characterization of Er3+ doped lead zinc phosphate glass via Judd-Ofelt analysis

Abstract

Lead zinc phosphate (LZP) glass dopedwith 0.6% Er3+ is prepared by a conventionalmelt quenching technique. Judd-Ofelt (JO) analysis is carried out with an absorption spectrum of the as-prepared glass generating the set of JO parameters: ω2 = 2.75 × 10-20 cm-2, ω4 = 2.71 × 10-20 cm-2 and ω6 = 0.44 × 10-20 cm-2. The magnitude of the spectroscopic quality factor (Xp) defined by ω4/ω6 obtained in our sample turns out to be 6.16 which is 2-10 times larger than that of other Er3+ doped glasses. The lifetime of 4I13/2 and 4I11/2 levels estimated via the JO parameters is found to provide superior values of 7.25 and 5.51 ms, respectively. The elevated value of ω4/ω6 along with the estimated 100% luminescence branching ratio of 4I13/2 →4I15/2 transition implies that Er3+ doped LZP can be a promising material as a laser active medium.