In this paper, the spectroscopic properties of bismuth borate glasses doped with 0.1 and 0.5 mol% Er2O3 are investigated. The intensity parameters Omega(t), (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probability, luminescence lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency, width of the emission line, and stimulated emission cross-section are determined. The effect of the compositions and the Er3+ ions doped concentration on the spectroscopic properties of the I-4(13/2) --> I-4(15/2) transition for Er3+ ions are discussed. The results indicate the potentiality of the Er3+ ions doped bismuth borate glasses as laser and fiber amplifier media. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.