On the optical properties of Er3+ ions activated magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glass: Role of silver nanoparticles sensitization

Abstract

Effects of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) on the physical and optical properties of erbium ions (Er3+) doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glasses of composition (59.5-x)P2O5-20.0MgO-20.0ZnSO4-0.5Er2O3-xAgCl (where x ≤ 1.5 mol%) were examined. Transparent bubble free glasses were prepared using melt quenching method. As-quenched samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to determine the feasibility of achieving their improved optical properties useful for photonic devices. Furthermore, Judd-Ofelt intensity and radiative parameters were evaluated to complement the experimental observations. XRD patterns of as-quenched samples confirmed their amorphous nature. TEM images of glasses revealed the nucleation of Ag NPs with average size of 10 nm. UV–Vis spectra of glasses exhibited nine absorption bands assigned to 4f-4f transitions of Er3+ ions. An enhancement in the PL emission intensities corresponding to the 2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 transitions by a factor of 6 and 5 were achieved. Such enhancement was attributed to the local field effect (LFE) stimulated by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag NPs alongside energy transfer mechanism among Er3+ ions and Ag NPs.