Evaluation of transition metal ion impurities in neodymium doped phosphate laser glasses using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A simple, rapid and reliable analytical procedure has been developed for the determination of transition elements such as Fe, Cu and Cr in neodymium doped phosphate laser glass samples using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The ICP-AES method has been developed and was optimized through several parameters such as proper line selection, testing RE power from 1100 to 1300 W, changing nebuliser (cross flow) gas flow from 0.6 to 1.0 L/min Ar and sample flows from 1 to 8 mL/min as well as by checking the spectral interferences for the optimal line selection. Validation included determination of linearity, selectivity, accuracy, reproducibility and precision. The developed analytical procedure was successfully applied to neodymium doped phosphate laser glass samples. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of three analytes were from 0.59 to 0.74 for Fe, 0.57 to 0.71 for Cu and 0.72 to 0.86 for Cr. The detection limit of three analytes have been found 0.00408 mg/L Cu, 0.00411 mg/L for Cr and 0.00569 mg/L for Fe. The linear dynamic range of ICP-AES is of the order of six.