Optical properties of Nd(TTA)3(TPPO)2 doped polymer and its potential laser application

In this work, the Nd(III) complex doped PMMA with high stimulated emission cross-section, which is one of the most important parameters for laser design, was presented. The molecular structure of the complex, Nd(TTA)3(TPPO)2 (HTTA: 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, TPPO: triphenylphosphine oxide), was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. From the absorption and luminescence spectra, the Judd–Ofelt parameters (Ω2, Ω4 and Ω6) of the Nd3+ ion in PMMA were obtained and the radiative properties were discussed using Judd–Ofelt theory. The stimulated emission cross-section of the emission band at 1.060 μm is 2.75 × 10−20 cm2, which is higher than that of other Nd(III) complex doped organic systems and even comparable with some laser glasses. On the basis of the experimental data and Judd–Ofelt analysis, the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition of the Nd3+ ion in PMMA can be considered as a possible laser transition.