Influence of samarium ions on the structural, and optical properties of unconventional bismuth glass analyzed using the Judd–Ofelt theory.

Unconventional bismuth (Bi 2 O 3) glasses containing zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO), and samarium oxide (Sm 2 O 3) were prepared using a melt quenching technique. The glass density was observed to decrease as the Sm 2 O 3 increased, from 6.881 g/cm3 for 1% Sm 2 O 3 to 6.618 g/cm3 for 7% Sm 2 O 3 , due to the replacement of lead content density by samarium content density. Optical absorption spectra were recorded and the optical parameters, such as the optical transition, optical electronegativity, refractive index, high frequency dielectric constant, single oscillator energy, and dispersive energy were determined. The optical parameter values were correlated to the ratio of Sm 2 O 3. The Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory was applied to the absorption spectra of the glass to predict the radiative and laser properties. The JO parameters (Ω 2 , Ω 4 , Ω 6) were found to be Ω 4 > Ω 2 > Ω 6 and related to the glass structure. These glasses were exposed to apply in photonic applications. Image 1 • Unconventional zinc lead bismuth glass containing samarium oxide was prepared. • The density values decreased from 6.881 to 6.618 g/cm3 as Sm3+ ions increased. • The optical transition decreased from 3.173 eV to 2.990 eV as Sm3+ ions increased. • The Judd–Ofelt parameters were Ω 4 > Ω 2 > Ω 6 , where Ω 4 and Ω 6 related to the rigidity. • Low values of Ω 2 related to the low covalence and high symmetry of Sm3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]