We have investigated the spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ in a series of sodium chlorophosphate glasses. Glasses with 30–40 mol.% ZnCl 2 have the largest stimulated emission cross section for the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 transition we have measured for any glass. The large cross section in this mixed anion glass is attributed to a combination of a large line strength, narrow emission bandwidth, and favorable nephelauxetic shift.