The Effect of Glass Structure on the Luminescence Spectra of Sm3+-Doped Aluminosilicate Glasses

Abstract

Peralkaline Sm3+-doped aluminosilicate glasses with different network modifier ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Zn2+) were investigated to clarify the effect of glass composition and glass structure on the optical properties of the doped Sm3+ ions. For this purpose, the Sm3+ luminescence emission spectra were correlated with the molecular structure of the glasses derived by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The different network modifier ions have a clear and systematic effect on the peak area ratio of the Sm3+ emission peaks which correlates with the average rare earth site symmetry in the glasses. The highest site symmetry is found for the calcium aluminosilicate glass. Glasses with network modifier ions of lower and higher ionic radii show a notably lower average site symmetry. The symmetry could be correlated to the rare earth coordination number with oxygen atoms derived by MD simulations. A coordination number of 6 seems to offer the highest average site symmetry. Higher rare earth coordination probabilities with non-bridging oxygen result in an increased splitting of the emission peaks and a notable broadening of the peaks. The zinc containing glass seems to play a special role. The Zn2+ ions notably modify the glass structure and especially the rare earth coordination in comparison to the other network modifier ions in the other investigated glasses. The knowledge on how glass structure affects the optical properties of doped rare earth ions can be used to tailor the rare earth absorption and emission spectra for specific applications.

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“…REIs-activated glasses are preferred for diverse lighting and displays due to their high thermal and chemical stability, easy manufacturing, and low cost. However, it was proven that the luminescence efficiency of the REIs is heavily dependent on the selected host matrix in which they are doped [ 7 ]. The host matrix affects the spectroscopic properties of the REIs by modifying their local environments, such as their crystal field, coordination number, and symmetry.…”

“…The selected oxide glass host play a paramount role in the design and optimization of high-performance REIs-doped optical glasses [ 7 ]. Silica, phosphate, borate, and tellurite are the typical REIs host matrices characterized by certain merits and demerits.…”