Distinctive spectroscopic features of samarium ions in the lithium zinc-borate glass

Inducing the spectral features of samarium ions (Sm3+) in a borate glass host with the required enhancements is the main challenge. Hence, transparent glass materials made of Sm-doped lithium zinc borate with high optical quality are created by the melt-quenching approach. XRD reveals the disordered structure and the amorphous character of the obtained glassy materials. The structural modifications of these glassy materials are observed via FTIR spectroscopy. The incorporation of samarium oxides into the borate glassy system changes the boron coordination from four-to-three. This, in turn, increases non-bridging oxygens (NBO) in the glassy network. The various physical parameters of these glassy materials are evaluated. Moreover, the ligand field characteristics and optical transitions of Sm3+-doped lithium zinc-borate glassy materials are scrutinized. The indirect bandgap
energy values of these glass materials decrease with Sm2O3 additions, whereas the Urbach energies increase gradually. The refractive index values of these glasses lie between 1.20 and 1.42. The tunability of the optical spectra of the investigated glass system, afforded via the various contents of Sm3+ ions, allows the absorption edge to be disentangled from the distinguishing optical transitions of Sm3+ ions. Prominent spectroscopic features of the results suggest the Sm-doped borate glass system towards future applications.