Barium fluoroborate glasses doped with Er3+: Structural and optical studies

The study of the optical properties of glasses and the corresponding glass-ceramics is of great interest, particularly in relation to potential applications such as spectrum converters. A sufficient level of fundamental and technological understanding is crucial in this field. Si-based glasses have been the subject of extensive research, but nowadays there has been a recent surge in interest towards studying borate glasses. In this study, oxyfluoroborate glasses doped with Er3+ were prepared and their thermal, structural, and crystallization properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, investigations were conducted on the optical characteristics of both emission and absorption. The results indicate that BaF2 can crystallize from this glass and emit light within the wavelengths range of 540-580 nm and 1400-1700 nm when excited at 377 and 980 nm, respectively. These findings demonstrate the promising potential application of these materials, with the appropriate optimization, in devices involving spectral conversion.