Influence of Alkali Metal Ions on the Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Sm3+-Doped Silicate Glasses

In the present work, the influence of alkali ions (Li, Na, K) on the structural and spectroscopic properties of silica glasses doped with Sm3+ was investigated. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to investigate the structural properties of the alkali silicate glasses. The optical absorption showed bands characteristic of Sm3+ ions in alkali silicate glasses, and this was investigated. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to evaluate the phenomenological intensity parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4), and Omega(6)) of the optical absorption measurements. The multi-channel visible and near infrared emission transitions originating from the (4)G(5/2)-emitting state of the Sm3+ in alkali silicate glasses with a maximum phonon energy of similar to 1050 cm(-1) were investigated. From the evaluated Judd-Ofelt parameters, radiative parameters such as spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, branching ratios, and stimulated emission cross-sections were calculated. The recorded luminescence spectra regions revealed intense green, orange, red, and near-infrared emission bands, providing new traces for developing tunable laser and optoelectronic devices.