Spectroscopic parameters of Nd 3+ ion in phosphate glasses

Abstract

The optical absorption spectrum of Nd 3+ ions in phosphate glasses of varying matrix environments has been recorded in the ultra violet, visible and near infrared region. From the absorption spectra, various spectroscopic parameters such as Slater-Condon ( F 2, F 4 and F 6), spin-orbit ( ξ 4ƒ ), Racah ( E 1, E 2 and E 3), nephelauxetic (β), bonding (δ) and Judd-Ofelt (J–O) ( Ω 2, Ω 4 and Ω 6 ) intensity parameters were evaluated. Electric dipole S cd and magnetic dipole ( S md) line strengths were evaluated with the help of J–O intensity parameters. The observed and calculated oscillator strengths (ƒ) are found to be in reasonable agreement with one another. Using J–O parameters and calculated matrix U( λ) radiative transition probabilities ( A), total radiative transition probability ( A T), radiative lifetime ( τ RAD) branching ratios (β R) and integrated absorption cross-sections for stimulated emission (σ a) between the metastable 4F 3 2 and terminal 4I J levels and terminal 4I J levels were calculated. The analysis shows that the 4F 3 2 → 4I 11 2 has the potential for a laser transition in the four glasses studied. The results of these investigations have been confirmed by recording the fluorescence spectrum corresponding to the 4F 3 2 → 4I 11 2 transition.