Physical and optical characterization of Er3+ doped lead-zinc-borate glass

This paper reports on the systematic optical characterization of Er3+ (1.0%) doped lead-zinc-borate glass from the measured absorption, luminescence and fluorescence lifetime decay curve profiles. By the application of the Judd-Ofelt theory, spectral intensities of the absorption bands have been analysed and these absorption results have been used in evaluating the luminescence properties of the Er3+ doped lead-zinc-borate glass. Stimulated emission cross-sections (sigmapE) of the measured emission transitions have been computed. Based on the measured glass density, and refractive indices, other related physical parameters have also been evaluated. Further, the structural and morphology of the glass material have also been investigated from X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analysis.