SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF ND3+ IONS IN PHOSPHATE-GLASSES

The effect of Nd3+ and hydroxyl group concentration, as well as the effect of glass composition on the relaxation processes of excited Nd3+ ions, are studied for various phosphate glasses and a fluoride phosphate glass. The relaxation of the F-4(3/2) level of the Nd3+ ions is dominated by radiative decay, energy transfer to hydroxyl groups and cross-relaxation. Lifetime measurements of this level as a function of hydroxyl group and Nd3+ concentrations lead to a resolution of the individual relaxation processes. Based on this analysis, the relationships between the glass matrix and the concentration quenching and radiative decay rate, respectively, are studied. Finally, the contributions of the individual relaxation processes to the lifetime of the F-4(3/2) level are compared with each other in different glass types.