OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF ND3+ IONS IN FLUOROPHOSPHATE GLASSES

The optical properties of Nd3+ ions have been investigated in fluorophosphate glasses of composition Al(PO3)3-BaF2-CaF2-MgF2-AlF3 with different fluorine to oxygen ratios by using steady-state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Judd-Ofelt parameters were derived from the absorption spectra and used to calculate the F-4(3/2)-->I-4(11/2) stimulated emission cross section and the F-4(3/2) radiative lifetime. The effective linewidth of the F-4(3/2)-->I-4(11/2) fluorescence spectra narrows as the fluorine to oxygen ratio increases. The experimental lifetimes, ranging from 472 to 494 mus, show a linear dependence with the fluorine content.