Sm2O3-doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses were prepared by melt-quenching method. The differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction were carried out to investigate the glass transition temperature and structure of precursor glass. Infrared spectroscopy, Raman, optical absorption, photoluminescence and decay measurements were carried out for Sm3+-doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses. From the absorption spectrum, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been evaluated to predict the radiative properties for the emission levels of Sm3+ ions. The lifetimes of (4)G(5/2) level are found to decrease from 1.17 to 0.93 ms due to the energy transfer, when the concentration of Sm3+ ions increases from 0.1 to 2.0 mol%. The optical gain parameter (18.13 x 10(-25) cm(2) s) of the investigated glass is found to be higher than the other Sm2O3-doped glass systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.