Laser transition characteristics of Nd3+-doped fluorophosphate laser glasses

Fluorophosphate glasses of composition P2O5-K2O-MgO)-A1(2)O(3)-A1F(3) and P2O5-K2O-MgO-A1(2)O(3)-BaF2 were prepared with different Nd3+ ion concentrations. The absorption and emission spectra in the UV-VIS-NIR region were measured for these glasses. Judd-Ofelt analysis has been carried out using the absorption spectra of 1.0 mol% Nd3+-doped glasses to evaluate the radiative properties for some luminescent levels of the Nd3+ ion. The stimulated emission cross-sections of the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) laser transition for the present glasses are found to be higher than for other Nd3+-doped glasses. Branching ratio calculations also revealed the potentiality of the F-4(3/2) I-4(11/2) transition for laser action in these glasses. The observed concentration quenching of the lifetime of the 4 F3/2 level is explained as a result of cross-relaxation process between the Nd3+ ions. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.