Spectroscopy features of Pr3+ and Er3+ ions in Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 glass matrices mixed with some sesquioxides

Highlights: → Optical spectra of Pr3+ and Er3+ ions in Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2: Pr2O3/Er2O3 with sesquioxides (viz., Al2O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3) studied. → The highest branching ratios βr and quantum efficiencies of 3P0 → 3H4 (Pr3+) and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) emissions have shown principal role of Y2O3. → Principal role of disorder around rare earth is established. - Abstract: The glasses of the composition Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2: Pr2O3/Er2O3 mixed with three interesting sesquioxides (viz., Al2O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3) were synthesized. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra (in the spectral range 350-2100 nm were studied at ambient temperature. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of Pr3+ and Er3+ ions in these glasses. Following the luminescence spectra, various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β and the radiative life time τ for different emission levels of two rare earth ions have been evaluated. The radiative life times for the upper levels 3P0 (Pr3+) and 4S3/2 (Er3+) have also been measured and quantum efficiencies were estimated. The variations observed in these parameters were discussed in the light of changing environment of rare earth ions due to mixing of different sesquioxides in the glass network.