ESR and spectral studies of Er3+ ions in soda-lime silicate glass

Electron spin resonance (ESR), optical absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra of Er3+ ions in soda-lime silicate glasses doped with different concentrations of Er2O3 have been studied. The glasses of the composition (in mol%) (65-x)SiO2:25Na(2)O:10CaO:xEr(2)O(3) (where x=0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3,4 and 5) were prepared by the melt quenching method. ESR measurements were carried out at room temperature down to 1.62 K. Absorption spectra were investigated in the UV-VIS-NIR region from 300 to 1800 nm. Photoluminescence spectra were observed in the spectral range 500-800 nm under 514.5 nm argon-ion laser line excitation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.