Origin of broadband near-infrared luminescence in bismuth-doped glasses

Interstitial negative-charged bismuth dimers, Bi(-)(2) and Bi(2-)(2), are suggested as a model of broadband IR luminescence centers in bismuth-doped glasses. The model is based on quantum-chemical calculations of equilibrium configurations, absorption, luminescence, and luminescence excitation spectra of the dimers in an alumosilicate network and is supported by IR luminescence observed for the first time, to our knowledge, in bismuth-doped polycrystalline magnesium cordierite.