Optical characterization of Nd3+- and Er3+-doped lead-indium-phosphate glasses

In this work, Judd-Ofelt analysis is applied to rare-earth-doped lead-indium-phosphate glasses (RE-PbInPO4, where RE=Er3+ and Nd3+) in order to evaluate their potential as both glass laser systems and amplifier materials. The phenomenological Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega((2)), Omega((4)), and Omega((6)) are determined for both rare-earth ions together with their quality factors and compared with the equivalent parameters for several other host glasses. The spontaneous emission probabilities and the lifetimes of the Nd3+ F-4(3/2) laser transitions are determined and analyzed as a function of the optical quality factor. For Nd3+-PbInPO4, glass fluorescence emission (890, 1058, and 1330 nm) lines are observed. Highly efficient infrared-to-visible frequency up-conversion at 530, 550, and 670 nm as well as an intense infrared fluorescence emission (similar to 1540 nm) is observed in Er3+-doped PbIn(PO4) glasses pumped using 800 nm radiation excitation.