Laser transition characteristics of Nd3+-doped fluorophosphate laser glasses

Abstract Fluorophosphate glasses of composition P 2 O 5 –K 2 O–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –AlF 3 and P 2 O 5 –K 2 O–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –BaF 2 were prepared with different Nd 3+ 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% Nd 3+ -doped glasses to evaluate the radiative properties for some luminescent levels of the Nd 3+ ion. The stimulated emission cross-sections of the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 laser transition for the present glasses are found to be higher than for other Nd 3+ -doped glasses. Branching ratio calculations also revealed the potentiality of the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 transition for laser action in these glasses. The observed concentration quenching of the lifetime of the 4 F 3/2 level is explained as a result of cross-relaxation process between the Nd 3+ ions.