Structural and luminescence properties of Nd3+-doped PbO–B2O3–TiO2–AlF3 glass for 1.07 μm laser applications

Abstract

Trivalent neodymium doped multi-component lead borate titanate aluminumfluoride (LBTAFNd) glasses were prepared and characterized as a function of Nd3+ ions concentration through optical absorption, NIR luminescence and decay measurements. The intensity (Ω2,4,6) and other radiative parameters were determined within the frame work of Judd–Ofelt theory. The intensities of absorption bands were expressed in terms of experimental oscillator strengths. Reasonably small root mean square deviation of ±0.384×10−6 obtained between the experimental and calculated oscillator strengths indicates the validity of intensity parameters. Upon 805nm laser excitation, the NIR emissions at 0.92μm (4F3/2→4I9/2), 1.07μm (4F3/2→4I11/2) and 1.35μm (4F3/2→4I13/2) were observed. The spectroscopic quality factor has been determined from the Ω4 and Ω6 intensity parameters as well as the intensities of emission bands centered at 1.07 and 1.35μm. The decay curves of the 4F3/2 excited state were recorded by monitoring the emission and excitation wavelengths at 1.07μm and 805nm, respectively. The decay curves exhibit single exponential behavior for all the glasses. The laser characteristic parameters of 4F3/2→4I11/2 (1.07μm) transition were determined and compared with other reported glasses.