Sol-gel synthesis of Pr-doped silica glasses

Pr-doped silica gels with Pr-content up to 10 wt.% have been prepared using a colloidal—polymeric as well as polymeric sol-gel method. The gels densified at 1150°C show absorption and fluorescence spectra similar to that of melt or CVD prepared Pr-doped silica glasses. Structural properties of the densified gels have also been studied. Al co-doping increases the fluorescence intensitiy of Pr3+ ions and shifts the maxima to the shorter wavelength side.