Optical transition probability of Nd3+ ions doped in ferroelectric PLZT for active electro-optical applications

The optical transition probability of Nd3+ (0.5 mol%) doped lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) is investigated. The absolute intensities of its forced electric dipole transitions between 400 nm and 1000 nm were measured, from which we obtain three phenomenological parameters, Omega(2) = 0.787 x 10(-20) cm(2), Omega(4) = 1.182 x 10(-20) cm(2), and Omega(6) = 1.042 x 10(-20) cm(2), according to the Judd-Ofelt theory. The radiation lifetime (346.9 mus) of the F-4(3/2) metastable state, the stimulated emission cross-section sigma(ij) (2.49 x 10(-21) cm(2), 6.51 x 10(-21) cm(2), 2.17 x 10(-21) cm(2)) and the fluorescence branch ratios are calculated. We also measured the fluorescence lifetime (155.84mus) and calculated the quantum efficiency (46.1%). The analysis reveals that Nd3+-doped PLZT, based on its large electro-optical effect, has potential applications in active optical devices.