Lasing properties of Pr3+-doped tellurofluorophosphate glasses

Abstract

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Pr3+ ions incorporated into tellurofluorophosphate (TFP) glasses have been investigated from the absorption and emission spectra recorded in the UV–VIS–NIR regions. The intensities of the 4f–4f induced electric dipole transitions are parametrized in terms of Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ωλ (λ=2, 4, 6) from the experimentally determined oscillator strengths. Various spectroscopic parameters such as electric dipole linestrengths (Sed), magnetic dipole linestrengths (Smd), radiative transition probabilities (AR), radiative lifetimes (τR), branching ratios (βR) and integrated absorption cross-sections (σa) for stimulated emission were evaluated for various excited levels of Pr3+ ions. The effect of compositional changes of the glasses on the optical properties of Pr3+ ions has been discussed. These calculated intensity parameters (Ωλ) and radiative lifetimes (τR) are compared with other Pr3+ doped host materials. From the magnitudes of the stimulated emission cross-sections (σe), branching ratios (βR), the most potential laser transitions are identified and utility of these glasses as laser active materials is discussed.