Optical and spectroscopic properties of soda lime alumino-silicate glasses doped with erbium and silver

• Published in: Optical materials 2011-10, Vol.33 (12), p.1995-1998
• Main Authors: Carmo, A.P., Bell, M.J.V., Da Costa, Z.M., Anjos, V., Barbosa, L.C., Chillcce, E.F., Giehl, J.M., Pontuschka, W.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Erbium; Glass; Glasses; Infrared; Lime; Luminescence; Nanoparticles; Silver; Soda lime aluminosilicate; Spectra; Spectroscopic analysis; Spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2011.04.039

► Enhancement of infrared Er 3+ luminescence with silver doping up to 20% when exciting the samples with 808 nm and 325 nm. ► Silver nanoparticles were formed during the ion exchange process without exposing the samples to further annealing. ► Formation and detection of silver agglomerates. Spectroscopic properties of Ag/Er co-doped soda lime silicate glasses have been studied with the aim of assessing the effective role of silver as a sensitizer for erbium. Changes in spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ as a function of silver addition to the base composition have been measured. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), absorption as well as photoluminescence measurements in the visible and infrared spectral region, particularly 4I 13/2 → 4I 15/2 transition of the Er 3+ ion were performed; excitation wavelengths in the range from 325 to 808 nm were used. Enhancement of the Er 3+ luminescence at 1.54 μm was observed when Ag was added.