Characterization and optical properties of $\hbox {Pr}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$-doped molybdenum lead-borate glasses

Abstract

$\hbox {Pr}^{3+}$ doped molybdenum lead-borate glasses with the chemical composition 75PbO−[25–(x $+$ y)$\hbox {B}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}]$–$y\hbox {MoO}_{3}$–$x\hbox {Pr}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$ (where $x = 0.5$ and 1.0 mol% and $y = 0$ and 5 mol%) were prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. Thermal, optical and structural analyses are carried out using DSC, UV and FTIR spectra. The physical parameters, like glass transition $(T_{\mathrm{g}})$, stability factor $(\Delta T)$, optical energy band gap $(E_{\mathrm{gopt}})$, of these glasses have been determined as a function of dopant concentration. The ${T}_{\mathrm{g}}$ and optical energy gaps of these glasses were found to be in the range of 290–350${^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$ and 2.45–2.7 eV, respectively. Stability of the glass doped with $\hbox {Pr}^{3+}$ is found to be moderate ($\sim$40). The results are discussed using the structural model of Mo–lead-borate glass.