Extensive study on the optical and structural characteristics of Nd3+ doped Lead-Borate-Strontium-Tungsten glass system: Judd–Ofelt analysis

In this paper, a neodymium doped Lead-Borate-Strontium-Tungsten glass system is synthesized by melt - quenching method. The samples are fabricated according to the composition 45B2O3-45PbO-7SrO-(3-x)WO3-(x)Nd2O3, where x = 0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mol%. As the neodymium ion concentration is increased, the measured density and molar volume of the glass is observed to increase. Raman spectroscopy and FTIR measurements were conducted to study the structure of the glass system and examine modifications that occurred by adding various Nd3+ ion concentrations. FTIR and Raman analysis revealed vibration and bonds stretching of various borate groups. UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopic measurement displays 6 absorption bands and was used to evaluate refractive indices, optical bandgap energies and other associated parameters. The J–O intensity parameters of Nd3+ ions are evaluated. The obtained intensity parameters exhibited a trend which follows Ω2 > Ω4 > Ω6 for all samples. Additionally, the experimental and theoretical oscillator strengths of the radiative 4f transitions, refractive indices (n), branching ratio (β) and lifetimes (τ) were determined. The spectroscopic quality factor obtained suggests the suitability for the glass system to be used in photonic applications.