Enhanced emission in the NIR range by Nd3+ doped borosilicate glass for lasing applications

Borosilicate glasses were prepared via melt quench technique with different concentration of Nd3+ ions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed for the prepared glass to study the amorphous structure. The glass stability was studied by Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Spectroscopic analysis of the prepared glasses was done through absorption, excitation, emission and decay measurements. Absorption spectra was used to evaluate the J-O parameters. Radiative parameters are evaluated with the help of application of J-O theory. Emission spectra show three prominent bands in NIR region arising from F-4(3/2) -> I-4(9/2), I-4(11/2) and I-4(13/2) centered around 910, 1068 and 1339 nm accordingly, with the most intense being the one at 1068 nm. Stimulated emission cross section, branching ratio and quantum efficiency for F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) transition is very high and is suitable for lasing applications. Dipole-dipole interaction is observed among activator ions on the basis of Dexter theory. The optimized Nd3+ doped glass (NBS10) possess maximum value for all radiative parameters and hence can be best suited for applications in the area of lasers and fiber amplifiers.