Silver nanoparticles enhanced photoluminescence of Nd3+ doped germanate glasses at 1064 nm

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 60; pp. 25 - 29
• Main Authors: Kassab, Luciana R.P., Silva, Davinson M., Garcia, José A.M., da Silva, Diego S., de Araújo, Cid B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-10-2016
• Subjects: Heavy-metal oxide glasses; Infra-red photoluminescence; Metallic nanoparticles; Heavy-metal oxide glasses; Infra-red photoluminescence; Metallic nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2016.07.006

Infrared photoluminescence (PL) properties of PbO-GeO2 glasses containing neodymium ions (Nd3+) and silver nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. The excitation was made with a continuous-wave diode laser operating at 805 nm, in resonance with the Nd3+ transition 4I9/2 → 4F5/2. Growth of ∼160% in the PL intensity at 1064 nm, was observed in comparison with a reference sample without silver NPs. The PL enhancement is attributed to the increased local-field in the Nd3+ locations nearby the NPs. The present results indicate that PbO-GeO2 glasses containing Nd3+ and silver NPs have good prospect to be used in optical amplifiers at 1064 nm.
We report on the infrared photoluminescence properties of germanate glasses doped with neodymium. Growth of 160% in the 1064 nm luminescence due to silver nanoparticles embedded in the samples was observed. The results indicate the possibility of building efficient waveguide optical amplifier using the samples as substrates. (a) Simplified energy level scheme of Nd3+ with indication of the transitions studied. (b) Emission spectra of Nd3+ doped PGO samples without and with silver NPs heat-treated during different times: open circles (1 h), triangles (24 h), squares (48 h), full circles (72 h), stars (sample without heat-treatment). The figures indicate the Nd3+ transitions studied and the increase of luminescence with the increase of silver nanoparticles concentration. [Display omitted]
•Nucleation of silver nanoparticles in germanate glasses doped with Nd3+.•First demonstration of infrared luminescence of Nd3+ doped germanate glass containing silver nanoparticles.•160% enhanced photoluminescence at 1064 nm due to metallic nanoparticles.•Possibility to exploit the enhanced optical transition to build efficient optical amplifier at 1064 nm.