Laser spectroscopy of Nd3+-doped PbO–Bi2O3–Ga2O3–BaO glasses

We present spectroscopic results of PbO–Bi2O3–Ga2O3–BaO glass doped with different concentration of Nd2O3. These glasses have high refractive index (∼2.4) and large spectral transmission window. Measurements of absorption, emission and fluorescence lifetime are presented. From the calculations of the Judd–Ofelt parameters the radiative lifetimes, branching ratios and quantum efficiency of 4F3/2 level are calculated. The highest emission intensity was measured for the sample doped with 0.5 wt% of Nd2O3 with emission cross-section of 2.6 × 10−20 cm2, at 1069 nm, fluorescence lifetime of 110 μs, quantum efficiency of 82% and effective linewidth of 34 nm. The results point out this glass system as good candidate to be used in the development of photonic devices operating in the near infrared spectral range.