Spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics

Abstract

In this paper, the spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF 3 nano-crystals were systematically studied. The formation and distribution of LaF 3 nano-crystals in the glass matrix were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on Judd–Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters Ω t ( t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probability, radiative lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency, width of the emission line and stimulated emission cross-section of Nd 3+ were evaluated. Particularly, the effect of Nd 3+ doping level on them was discussed. With the increase of Nd 3+ concentration in the glass ceramic, the experimental luminescence lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency and stimulated emission cross-section vary from 353.4 μs, 78.3% and 1.86 × 10 −20 cm 2 to 214.7 μs, 39.9% and 1.52 × 10 −20 cm 2, respectively. The comparative study of Nd 3+ spectroscopic parameters in different hosts suggests that the investigated glass ceramic system is potentially applicable as laser materials for 1.06 μm emission.