Nanocrystals formation on Ho3+ doped strontium barium niobate glass

The study of two different methods to obtain strontium barium niobate nanocrystals immersed in a glass matrix has been carried out. Ho2O3-doped SrO–BaO–Nb2O5–B2O3 glasses were fabricated using the melt quenching method. Glass ceramic samples were obtained from the precursor glass by thermal treatment in a furnace and by laser irradiation. These glass ceramic samples are formed by a glassy phase and a crystalline phase of strontium barium niobate nanocrystals. This structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Atomic Force Microscope images. The incorporation of Ho3+ ions in the strontium barium niobate nanocrystals were corroborated by optical measurements, which produced an increment in the luminescence intensity compared to the precursor glass.