Effects of Copper Metallic Nanoparticles on Structural and Optical Properties of Antimony Phosphate Glasses Co-Doped with Samarium Ions

New antimony phosphate glasses doped with samarium (III) oxide and co-doped with copper metallic nanoparticles (CuNPs) were obtained by the melt quenching technique. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. XRD data suggested that all the obtained samples showed an amorphous nature. EPR data suggested the existence of Cu(2+) ions octahedrally surrounded by six oxygen atoms. The dipole–dipole interactions between Cu(2+) ions were predominant. UV–Vis spectra revealed the presence of Sm(3+) and Cu(2+) ions in the samples. The values for nephelauxetic and bonding parameters were also calculated. The negative values obtained for bonding parameter indicate an ionic character of the bonds from the glass network. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited emissions from samarium ions and revealed the influence of dopant nature on of rare-earth ions emissions. The obtained results indicate that the studied materials are suitable for solid state lasers.