Gain cross-section of 1.06 μm emission in Nd3+-doped SiO2–LaF3 glass–ceramics prepared by sol–gel method

Abstract The room temperature near-infrared emission at 1.06 μm corresponding to the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 laser transition in Nd 3+ -doped SiO 2 –LaF 3 transparent glass–ceramics prepared by sol–gel method has been characterized in terms of the product of emission cross-section and fluorescence lifetime. Stimulated emission cross-sections have been calculated from experimental emission spectra using the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg equation. The precipitation of LaF 3 nanocrystals after heat-treatment, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, induces a significant increment of the 1.06 μm near-infrared emission compared with the as made sample. An enhancement of emission cross-section of about 10% has been achieved with increasing temperature of heat-treatment of the nano-ceramming process from 800 to 1000 °C, which is related to the growth of LaF 3 nanocrystals.