Spectroscopic and radiative properties study of Nd3+ doped cadmium-phosphate glasses

A spectroscopic investigation is performed on Nd3+ doped cadmium-phosphate glasses. The Judd–Ofelt analysis is applied to the glass system in order to evaluate their potential as both glass laser and amplifier materials. The phenomenological Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω(2), Ω(4), and Ω(6) are determined, their values are 4.80×10−20, 6.18×10−20, and 7.14×10−20 cm−2, respectively. The quality factor for glass system is 0.86. Predicted radiative decay rates and branching ratios of transitions from Nd3+4F3/2 state to the 4IJ manifolds are determined and analyzed. The calculated lifetime of the 4F3/2 metastable state of Nd3+ is 31 μs. The results showed that 4F3/2 to 4I11/2 transition, with fluorescence at 1056 nm, has the most potential for laser application. Photoluminescence up-conversion under excitation at 488 nm laser light exhibits three emission bands of Nd3+ ions at 541 (green), 601 (orange), and 677 nm (red). These emission bands are assigned to 4G7/2→4I9/2, 4G7/2→4I11/2, and 4G7/2→4I13/2 transitions, respectively. Analysis of luminescence spectra enhances the use of glass system in optical displays, lasers, and optical memory devices.