Interstitial BiO molecule as a center of broadband IR luminescence in bismuth-doped silica glass

TL;DR

This paper proposes that interstitial BiO molecules are responsible for the broadband IR luminescence observed in bismuth-doped silica glass fibers, providing a molecular-level explanation for the optical properties.

Contribution

It introduces the BiO molecule as a new center responsible for IR luminescence in bismuth-doped silica, advancing understanding of the material's optical behavior.

Findings

IR luminescence linked to BiO molecules

Absorption spectra explained by BiO transitions

Supports molecular origin of broadband IR emission

Abstract

IR luminescence and absorption in bismuth-doped silica glass-core fibers observed recently (see [arXiv:1106.2969v1 [physics.optics]) are argued to be caused by transitions in interstitial BiO molecules