SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF ND3+-DOPED HEAVY-METAL FLUORIDE GLASSES

Indium trifluoride based multicomponent glasses of the composition: 30InF3-30BaF2-10ThF4-9ZnF2-20RF, (RF = LiF, NaF and KF) with Nd3+ (1 M%) were prepared and an investigation was carried out on the significant effects of RF on the physical properties, the absorption spectra, the photoluminescence spectra and the decay times (mu-s) of the laser emission transition 4F3/2 --> 4I11/2 (1.05-mu-m) at 300 and 77 K, by using an argon ion laser as the source of excitation. To understand the laser efficiency of these materials, the values of the spectroscopic quality factor (OMEGA4/OMEGA6) and the quantum efficiency (eta) obtained from the measured and computed lifetimes of the 4F3/2 --> 4I11/2 have been estimated and it is found that glass A could be suggested as a suitable lasing material.