Effect of modifier oxides on spectroscopic and optical properties of Pr3+ doped PbO-Ro2O3–WO3–B2O3 glasses (with Ro2O = Sb2O3, Al2O3, and Bi2O3)

Praseodymium (Pr2O3) doped PbO-Ro2O3–WO3–B2O3 glasses were prepared by melt quenching method and their optical absorption and emission spectra were characterized, for three different heavy metal oxides (Ro2O3 = Sb2O3, Al2O3, and Bi2O3). The characteristics of the glass matrix are confirmed by X-ray diffraction spectra. Many structural properties can be identified by Fourier Transform infrared spectra of the glasses, such as PbO, B2O3, and WO3. From the optical absorption spectra, the absorption edges, and the values of direct and indirect band gap transitions and Urbach energies were calculated. The oscillator strengths of the absorption bands were determined by the Judd-Ofelt model, and the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6 were calculated for each of the studied glasses. Moreover, the nephelauxetic ratio β, bonding parameter δ, and optical basicity Λth were also calculated to characterize the bonding nature of the Pr3+ rare-earth ions. From the emission spectra, spontaneous radiative transition probability Aτ, total radiative transition probability AT, luminance branching ratio βr, and radiative life time τrad were calculated. From the spectra, the CIE color coordinates were also calculated for all the studied glasses. This research confirms that the studied materials are suitable for red laser applications.