Synthesis, structural characterization and luminescence properties of new Na0.3-x NdxAl0.3Si0.7O2+δ (0–0.1) ceramics for optical applications

Na0.3-xNdxAl0.3Si0.7O2+δ (NdxNAS; x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1) powders were prepared via the mechanical milling reaction method to act as materials of the laser source in the near infrared region of the spectrum. The phase identification and crystallographic parameters were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the morphology and chemical analysis of the powder were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attached with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) system. From the optical absorption spectra obtained from the powder samples has been possible to obtain the Judd–Ofelt (J-O) parameters using a modified procedure. Luminescence spectra under excitation at 473 nm displayed the bands resulting from4F3/2→4I9/2,4F3/2→4I11/2and 4F3/2→4I13/2. Among these transitions, 4F3/2→4I11/2 (1068 nm) showed the highest intensity. It has been observed that the concentration quenching effect is important and the most luminescent sample is obtained with a concentration with x = 0.05. The intrinsic life-time and the energy transfer parameters for Nd3+ ions were obtained from the luminescence decay curves using the Inokuti-Hirayama (I–H) model. These Nd3+-doped glass ceramic materials are potential candidates as a1.068 μm laser source in the near infrared region of the spectrum.