Structural and spectroscopic investigations of neodymium-doped strontium borophosphate glass.

Neodymium-doped glass finds application in lasers with high energy and low pulse width. In the present study, a series of Nd3+ ions (0-2 mol%)-doped strontium borophosphate (SBP) glass samples was prepared through the conventional melt quench method. A broad peak in the X-ray diffraction spectrum confirmed the formation of a single-phase amorphous borophosphate glass. Fourier transform infrared spectra of the doped and undoped glass samples indicated the presence of borate and phosphate groups that form the anionic network. The thermal properties of the glass samples were determined from thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis. Photoluminescence and ultraviolet-visible light techniques were used to investigate the optical properties of the as-prepared SBP:Nd glass. The Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters Ωλ (2, 4, 6), stimulated emission cross-section, branching ratios, and transition probabilities of the Nd3+ -doped glass were obtained through the JO analysis. Characteristic Nd3+ emission peaks were observed at 1330, 1060, and 876 nm, corresponding to the 4 F3/2 →4 IS/2 (S = 13, 11, and 9) transitions, respectively. The suitability of SBP:Nd (0.5 mol%) glass for use in solid-state lasers was demonstrated by its intense luminescence, high transition probability, high emission cross-section, optical gain, and luminescence branching ratio.

Study on Trace Elements Concentration in Medicinal Plants Using EDXRF Technique.

Ten medicinal plants used as ingredients of folklore and Ayurvedic medicine belonging to the Malnad Kerala region of South India, were analysed for concentrations of trace elements Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb using the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. The soil from the root area of these medicinal plants was also analysed, and the soil to plant transfer factor (TF) of the elements was estimated. Iron (Fe) recorded higher concentration than the other trace elements estimated in the medicinal plants, followed by manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). The mean TF was found to be highest for Zn. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng recorded the maximum value of TF for Zn. Most of the essential elements were found to be present in Centella asiatica (L.) Urban and indicated its medicinal importance. The data obtained in the present investigation may add up to the trace elemental database of medicinal plants in the world.