Lasing transition at 1.06 μm emission in Nd3+‐doped borate‐based tellurium calcium zinc niobium oxide glasses for high‐power solid‐state lasers

Abstract

The spectroscopic properties of Tellurium Calcium Zinc Niobium oxide Borate (TCZNB) glasses of composition (in mol%) 10TeO2 +15CaO+5ZnO+10 Nb2 O5 +(60 - x)B2 O3 +Nd2 O3 (x=0.1, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5mol%) have been investigated experimentally. The three phenomenological intensity parameters Ω2 , Ω4, Ω6 have been calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory and in turn radiative properties such as radiative transition probabilities, emission cross-sections, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes have been estimated. The trend found in the JO intensity parameter is Ω2 >Ω6 >Ω4 If Ω6 >Ω4 , the glass system is favourable for the laser emission 4 F3/2 →4 I11/2 in the infrared (IR) wavelength. The experimental values of branching ratio of 4 F3/2 →4 I11/2 transition indicate favourable lasing action with low threshold power. The evaluated total radiative transition probabilities (AT ), stimulated emission cross-section (σe ) and gain bandwidth parameters (σe ×Δλp ) were compared with earlier reports. An energy level analysis has been carried out considering the experimental energy positions of the absorption and emission bands.