Investigation of optical and spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ ions in CaBAl glasses

Samples of CaBAl glass with composition of (25-x)CaO-50B2O3-15Al2O3-10CaF2-xSm2O3, with Sm2O3 concentration varying from 0.5 to 7 wt%, were prepared by using melt-quenching method in air atmosphere. The samples were prepared with different concentrations of Sm2O3, aiming to understand how the dopant changes the optical and spectroscopic properties of the glass. The doped CaBAl glasses were studied by means of volumetric density measurements, refractive index, optical absorption, luminescence at room temperature, luminescence as function of the temperature and radiative lifetime. All results were discussed in function of Sm2O3 concentration. The measured volumetric density and polarizability showed an increase with Sm2O3 doping. The refractive index showed a small increase due to RE doping, although within the errors. The absorption bands were attributed to Sm3+ transitions from the ground state 6H5/2 to the various excited states. The luminescence spectra present emission bands assigned to the appropriate electronic f-f transitions of Sm3+ ions; there are four emission bands at 565, 602, 649 and 710 nm. The luminescence quenching was observed up to 2 wt% of Sm2O3. The O/R ratio as function of the Sm2O3 concentration showed changes in the symmetry site with addition of Sm2O3. The CIE 1931 diagram presented a reddish-orange shift color with Sm2O3 doping. The luminescence intensity presents a decrease with temperature increase for all studied samples. The experimental lifetime decreases with the increase of Sm2O3, mainly due to ion-ion interaction.