Structure and spectroscopy of rare earth – Doped lead phosphate glasses.

Highlights: [•] Lead phosphate glasses doped with rare earth ions were prepared. [•] The local structure was examined using X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. [•] Different structural phosphate groups are present in lead phosphate glasses. [•] The electron–phonon coupling strength and phonon energy of the glass host was determined. [•] Several observed emission bands are due to 4f–4f electronic transitions of rare earth ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]