Investigation of concentration quenching and 1.3 μm emission in Nd3+-doped bismuth glasses

Nd2O3-doped 70Bi2O3–20B2O3–10SiO2–xNd2O3 (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.5 mol%) bismuth glasses were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method, and the Nd3+:4F3/2 → 4I13/2 fluorescence properties had been studied for different Nd3+ concentrations. The Judd–Ofelt analysis for Nd3+ ions in bismuth boron silicate glasses was also performed on the base of absorption spectrum. The transition probabilities, excited state lifetimes, the fluorescence branching ratios, quantum efficiency and the stimulated emission cross-sections of 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 transition were calculated and discussed. Based on the electric dipole–dipole interaction theory, the interaction parameters: CDD, for the energy migration rate 4F3/2, 4I9/2 → 4F3/2, 4I9/2 and CDA, for cross-relaxation rate 4F3/2, 4I9/2 → 4I15/2, 4I15/2, and/or 4F3/2, 4I9/2 → 4I13/2, 4I15/2 in bismuth boron silicate glasses were about 18.4 × 10−40 cm6/s and 3.4 × 10−40 cm6/s, respectively.