1.06 μm laser transition characteristics of Nd3+-doped fluorophosphate glasses

The fluorophosphate glasses with the composition (mol%) of (56 - x)P2O5 + 17K(2)O + (12 - x)MgO + 6MgF(2) + 9Al(2)O(3)+xNd(2)O(3) and (56-x)P2O5+17K(2)O+(12-x)SrO+6SrF(2)+9Al(2)O(3)+xNd(2)O(3) (where x=0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 mol%) have been prepared and characterized by absorption and luminescence spectra and decay curve analysis. The absorption band positions of Nd3+ ions have been analyzed using the free-ion Hamiltonian model. From the absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been evaluated which are in turn used to predict radiative properties such as total radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes and branching ratios. The present glasses have high stimulated emission cross-sections, implying that they have potential for laser applications. Lifetime of the F-4(3/2) level decreases with increasing Nd3+ ions concentration. The non-exponential decay curves have been fitted to the generalized Yokota and Tanimoto model and derived energy transfer and migration parameters, donor-acceptor coupling constants and diffusion coefficients. The free OH content in the 1.0 mol% Nd2O3-doped glasses has been estimated from their measured Fourier transform infrared transmittance spectra. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.