Replacement of glass-former B2O3 by GeO2 in an amorphous host evidenced by optical methods

Two completely different glass-host matrices containing lead, i.e. borate and germanate glasses doped with erbium were studied. The replacement of glass-former B2O3 by GeO2 in an amorphous host was evidenced by optical methods. The luminescence decay from the⁴I13/2 upper laser state of Er³⁺ ions is relatively short, whereas the up-converted emission signal is reduced definitely in borate glass containing lead due to its high B-O stretching vibrations. The results indicate that germanate glasses containing lead are promising for near-infrared luminescence and up-conversion applications