Optical evaluation of multichannel radiative transitions originating from G45/2 level of Sm3+ in heavy-metal-gallate glasses

Conventional visible and novel infrared (IR) emissions of Sm3+ in heavy-metal-gallate glasses (Li2O–K2O–BaO–PbO–Bi2O3–Ga2O3, LKBPBG for short) with low phonon energy have been observed. Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω2 (3.00×10−20 cm2), Ω4 (5.19×10−20 cm2), and Ω6 (1.69×10−20 cm2) indicate a higher asymmetry and stronger covalent environment in the optical glasses. For the visible fluorescence bands peaked at 564, 601, 648, and 710 nm, the maximum stimulated emission cross-sections (σe) were derived to be 1.35×10−22, 9.21×10−22, 9.58×10−22, and 3.91×10−22 cm2, respectively, the values are larger than those in phosphate, oxyfluoroborate, tellurite, and calibo glasses obviously. The observed 1185 nm IR emission lies in the low-loss window of telecommunication system, and the maximum value of σe for this band was obtained to be 6.09×10−23 cm2. The characterization of multichannel radiative transitions of Sm3+ in LKBPBG glasses is beneficial in exposing its potential applications in visible and IR optoelectronic devices.