Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics

In this paper, the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF3 nano-crystals were systematically studied. The formation and distribution of LaF3 nano-crystals in the glass matrix were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on Judd–Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters Ωt (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probability, radiative lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency, width of the emission line and stimulated emission cross-section of Nd3+ were evaluated. Particularly, the effect of Nd3+ doping level on them was discussed. With the increase of Nd3+ concentration in the glass ceramic, the experimental luminescence lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency and stimulated emission cross-section vary from 353.4 μs, 78.3% and 1.86 × 10−20 cm2 to 214.7 μs, 39.9% and 1.52 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. The comparative study of Nd3+ spectroscopic parameters in different hosts suggests that the investigated glass ceramic system is potentially applicable as laser materials for 1.06 μm emission.