Physical study of Sm3+ doped borochromate glass system

Sm3+ doped borochromate glasses of composition [xSm(2)O(3)-74.5B(2)O(3)-25Li(2)O-(0.5 - x)Cr2O3] with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mol% have been prepared by conventional quenching melting method. The XRD profile confirm the amorphous nature of the glass samples. The density measurements were made using Archimedes' principle of the prepared samples. Molar volume V-M, rare-earth ion concentration N and ionic radius r(p) as well as field strength F have been estimated from the density measurements. The average optical basicity, Lambda(th), electronegativity chi(2av) and electronic polarizability alpha(2-) were calculated for the prepared glass samples. Influence of rare earth ions on structural behavior in borochromate glasses have been investigated using infrared spectroscopy (IR). The structural changes have been analyzed with increasing rare earth concentration. Partial BO3 <-> BO4 conversion as a function of rare earth concentration was observed. From the relative peak areas of BO3 and BO4 in structural groups the ratio N-4 has been calculated. ESR spectra were recorded at room temperature. The obtain ESR signals were used to estimate the paramagnetic susceptibility (chi). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.