Spectroscopic studies of Nd3+ doped lead tungsten tellurite glasses for the NIR emission at 1062 nm

Abstract

Lead Tungsten Tellurite (LTT) glasses doped with different concentrations of Nd3+ ions were prepared by using the melt quenching technique to study the absorption, emission and decay spectral profiles with an aim to understand the lasing potentialities of these glasses. From the absorption spectra, the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) parameters are evaluated and in turn used to calculate the transition probability (AR), total transition probability (AT), radiative lifetime (τR) and branching ratios (βR) for prominent emission levels of Nd3+. The emission spectra recorded for LTT glasses gives three emission transitions 4F3/2→4I9/2, 4F3/2→4I11/2 and 4F3/2→4I13/2 for which effective band widths (ΔλP) and stimulated emission cross-sections (σse) are evaluated. Branching ratios (βR) measured for all the LTT glasses show that 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition is quite suitable for lasingapplications. The intensity of emission spectra increases with increase in the concentrations of Nd3+ up to 1.0mol% and beyond concentration quenching is observed. Relatively higher emission cross-sections and branching ratios observed for the present LTT glasses over the reported glasses suggests the feasibility of using LTT glasses for infrared laser applications. From the absorption, emission and decay spectral measurements, it was found that 1.0mol% of Nd3+ ion concentration is aptly suitable for LTT glasses to give a strong NIR laser emission at 1062nm.