Alkali and mixed alkali effect: Emission analysis of RE3+ (RE=Nd or Er): B2O3-P2O5-WO3-ZnO glasses for tunable laser and optical fiber applications

B 2 O 3 -P 2 O 5 -WO 3 -ZnO glasses doped with trivalent rare-earth ions (Nd 3+ and Er 3+ ) were prepared using the conventional melt-quenching technique. Physical quantities are computed for the prepared glasses. XRD analysis confirmed the non-crystalline nature of the prepared glasses. The elemental composition of the glasses was examined using EDAX spectroscopy. Functional groups that are present in the glass network were studied through FTIR and Raman spectral analyses and the resolution of the FTIR spectra was improved using a deconvolution method. Optical absorption spectra of the Nd 3+ and Er 3+ ions doped glasses were analyzed and by applying Judd-Ofelt theory, the optical properties and radiative properties of Nd 3+ and Er 3+ ions doped glasses were studied systematically. Nd 3+ -doped glasses exhibited a strong NIR emission band at 1063 nm ( 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 ) with an excitation source Ar + laser (λ exc = 514.5 nm), while the Er 3+ -doped glasses exhibits an NIR emission band at 1541 nm ( 4 I 13/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) with Ar + ion laser source. The luminescence decay curves show good agreement with the exponential fit. The energy transfer mechanisms of Nd 3+ and Er 3+ doped glasses were analyzed by energy level diagrams. Mixed-alkali effects on the photoluminescence properties of Nd 3+ and Er 3+ ions doped glass systems were investigated for laser and optical amplifier applications.