Spectral studies of Nd3+ doped different fluorophosphate glasses for their aptness in laser applications at 1060 nm

Neodymium doped fluorophosphate (FP:Nd3+) glasses with different chemical compositions (59NH4H2PO4+15ZnO +15BaF2+10X+1·0NdF3 (X=LiF, NaF, CaF2, SrF2, AlF3)) were prepared by melt quenching. Their structures and spectroscopic properties were studied using x-ray diffraction, FTIR, FT-Raman and 31P, 27Al MAS NMR techniques. Various structural groups were identified using FTIR and FT-Raman spectra. The depolymerisation of metaphosphate chains are described by the decrease of Q2 tetrahedral sites allowing the formation of pyrophosphate groups revealed by 31P MAS NMR spectroscopic studies. Optical properties were studied using absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ωλ (λ=2, 4 and 6) were estimated from absorption spectra. Radiative parameters such as transition probabilities (A), radiative lifetimes (τR), integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ) and branching ratios (βR) were calculated. Two emission lines at 1060 and 1330 nm were observed for Nd3+ in all the fluorophosphate glasses. From the emission spectra, emission characteristics were studied via optical band gains (σe×τR) and gain bandwidths (σe×Δλeff). Fairly large numerical values for peak emission cross-sections (σe) and branching ratios (β) for 4F3/2Æ4I11/2 transition of Nd3+ ion doped calcium fluorophosphate glass were observed. These results are rosy for NIR laser application at 1060 nm.