Effect Of Li2o Substitution On Structures And Properties Of Nd3+-Doped Al(Po3)(3)-Li2o Glasses

99.8[(1-x%)Al(PO3)(3)-x%Li2O]-0.2Nd(2)O(3) glasses (mol%, x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) were prepared by high-temperature melt and quenching method. The effect of Li2O replacing Al(PO3)(3) on the physical, mechanical, and optical properties was correlated with the network structures and the local environment around Nd3+ ions, which were obtained via Raman scattering spectra, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR), and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. SSNMR results indicate that the addition of Li+ ions cannot affect the connectivity between P and Al while it can break the P-O-P linkages resulting in the depolymerization of glass networks. EPR spectra indicate an increasing engagement of lithium around Nd3+ ions with the increase of Li2O. The Judd-Ofelt (J-O) parameters omega(4,6) increase, but omega(2) decreases. The emission cross section at 1053 nm and quantum efficiency are improved by 27% and 31%, respectively. The work is helpful for understanding the evolution mechanism of emission properties and structures in Nd3+-doped Al(PO3)(3)-Li2O phosphate glasses.