Influence of crystal field potential on the spectroscopic parameters of SiO2·B2O3·PbO glass doped with Nd2O3

This paper presents the optical characteristics of Nd3+ silicate glass (SiO2–B2O3–PbO), synthesized by the fusion method. Two sets of samples were prepared: glass and corresponding glass ceramics. Optical absorption, luminescence, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were performed in order to determine the structural properties of the systems and the radiative characteristics of Nd3+ ions. Near infrared luminescence exhibited typical Nd3+ bands. Raman and AFM measurements indicated nanocrystal growth with thermal treatment of the glass ceramics. Judd–Ofelt calculations also confirmed that heat treatment induced structural rearrangement of the samples that was dependent on Nd2O3 concentration. This resulted in changes in the optical and physical properties of the samples, including stimulated emission cross section and rigidity.