TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT CONCENTRATION QUENCHING OF ND3+ FLUORESCENCE IN FLUORIDE GLASSES

The optical properties and temperature-dependent concentration quenching of Nd3+ fluorescence have been investigated in heavy-metal and transition-metal fluoride glasses using steady-state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Judd-Ofelt parameters were derived from the absorption spectra and used to calculate the F-4(3/2) --> I-4(11/2) stimulated-emission cross-section and the F-4(3/2) radiative lifetime. From the thermal behaviour of lifetimes, a T-3 dependence for the non-radiative Nd-Nd relaxation processes has been found in the 15-100 K temperature range for the three families of fluoride glasses investigated, which is in agreement with a two-site non-resonant process.