Luminescence emission features of Nd3+ ions in PbO–Sb2O3 glasses mixed with Sc2O3/Y2O3/HfO2

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the principal role of Y 2 O 3 , Sc 2 O 3 and HfO 2 on the enhancement of 1.06 μm emission beam of Nd 3+ ion in PbO–Sb 2 O 3 glass system. The emission spectrum of Nd 3+ doped glass exhibited emission bands at 900, 1060 and 1335 nm. When the glasses are co-doped with Y 2 O 3 , Sc 2 O 3 and HfO 2 and excited at 528 nm, a substantial hike in the intensity of 1060 nm emission band is observed. The comparison of luminescence efficiency of Nd 3+ ion of the glasses mixed with three co-dopants indicated the highest enhancement in the intensity of this emission in the glass co-doped HfO 2 . The reasons for such enhancement have been discussed in the light of varying environment of the glass network in the vicinity of Nd 3+ rare earth ions.