Plasmon effect provides emission stabilization of glass matrices under high temperature

A family of samples of lithium borate glass doped with rare earths (erbium, ytterbium, dysprosium) and containing metallic nanoparticles were synthetized by melt-quenching technique. SEM micrograph is presented. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples reveal the amorphous structure, which confirms their non-crystalline nature. Physical properties (such as density, molar volume, and boron-boron separation) of amorphous materials and their modifications when the metallic nanoparticles are added in the matrices are shown. UV–Vis-IR absorption spectra of all samples were recorded and display the characteristic bands of the used rare earths; all absorption bands present an enhancement with increasing plasmonic concentration. Emission spectra of doped samples were collected in the temperature range from 30 to 180 Celsius degrees. The results of emission under temperature indicate that the addition of plasmons in glass matrices are responsible for emission stabilization in samples when the temperature is increased.