Bi2O3-B2O3-CaF2-EuF3 Glass-Ceramics for Efficient Orange-Red Laser Applications

Abstract

The Bi2O3-B2O3-CaF2-EuF3 (BiBCEu) glass and glass-ceramics were prepared by a controlled heat treatment method for efficient orange-red laser applications and characterized through X-ray diffraction, Raman, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence excitation, emission and fluorescence decay studies. The BiBCEu glass-ceramics containing Bi3B5O12 and CaF2 nanocrystallites exhibit intense orange-red luminescence through Eu3+:5D0 → 7F2 (616 nm) transition when excited at 396 nm wavelength. The radiative parameters like radiative emission probability (AR), luminescence branching-ratio (bR) and radiative decay time (τR) were determined using the intensities of Eu3+: 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 1, 2, 4) emission transitions following the Judd-Ofelt theory. The chromaticity coordinates of BiBCEu glass-ceramic heat treated at 575oC for 10 hours are situated in the orange-red part of the CIE colour diagram. The observed results confirm that BiBCEu glass-ceramic obtained by heat treatment at 575oC for 10 hours is more favourable for solid state orange-red laser applications.