We report here on the preparation and optical characterization of certain rare earth (Nd3+,Tb3+,Pr3+ &Tm3+ each in 0.2 mol %) ions doped in two new series glasses in the following composition:
Series A: 69.8 B2O3 – 10 P2O5 – 10(ZnO/CdO/TeO2) – 10 AlF3
Series B: 69.8 B2O3 – 10 P2O5 – 10(ZnO/CdO/TeO2) – 10 LiF
By applying the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters of Nd3+: BFP glasses, radiative properties of the emission transitions ( 4F3/2 ®4IJ=9/2, 11/2 &13/2 ) at 906, 1079 and 1349nm have been evaluated. By applying the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, radiative properties for Er3+ ions doped glasses, the NIR emission (4I13/2 4I15/2 ) at 1547nm , and also visible green emission (4S3/2 4I15/2 ) at 547nm have been evaluated. Measured absorption spectra of Pr3+: BFP glasses have shown eight absorption bands at 443, 469, 481, 589 , 1008, 1419, 1523 and 1930 nm which correspond to the transitions 3H4 ®3P2, 3P1, 3P0, 1D2, 1G4,3F4, 3F3 and 3F2 respectively. Absorption spectra of Tm3+: glasses have revealed five absorption bands at 466, 685, 790, 1206 and 1644 nm which corresponding to the transitions 3H6®1G4, 3F3, 3H4, 3H5 and 3F4 respectively. Pr3+: glasses, with an excitation at 442nm (3H4 ®3P2), a orange-red emission at 600 nm (1D2® 3H4) has been observed. In the case of Tm3+: glasses, upon excitation with 355nm (3H6®1D2), blue emissions at 452 nm (1D2®3F4) and at 476 nm (1G4®3H6) are observed. From the measured NIR emission spectra of Pr3+: BFP glasses, an NIR emission at 1354nm (1G4®3H5) and form Tm3+: glasses, an NIR emission (3F4®3H6) at 1809 nm are observed with an Ar+ laser (514.5 nm) as the excitation source.