Optical spectroscopy of lanthanide ions in Al2O3–Nb2O5–TeO2 glasses

New Al 2 O 3 -Nb 2 O 5 -TeO 2 glasses doped with Er 3+ , Nd 3+ and Tm 3+ were prepared by conventional melt quenching. The absorption spectra were measured and the Judd-Ofelt parameters were extracted. Luminescence spectra in the near infrared region were measured and the values of the stimulated cross sections σ p were evaluated for selected laser transitions. The relatively high values of σ p suggest that these materials can be considered as interesting candidates for optical applications. The spectroscopic behaviour of the lanthanide ions appears to be influenced by the amount of Nb 2 O 5 and Al 2 O 3 in the glass hosts.