8B9 - Laser emission at 1.06 µ from Nd3+-Yb3+glass

Laser emission at 1.015 μm occurs in glass singly doped and when sensitized with Nd³⁺. For double doping in a Li Mg Al Si glass, emission at 1.015 μm from Yb³⁺and 1.06 μm from Nd³⁺was reported. By monitoring the 1.35 μm fluorescent line of Nd³⁺, it can be shown that both Nd³⁺and Yb³⁺lase at 1.06 μm at room temperature in a silicate glass with 5 weight percent Nd2O3and 5 weight percent Yb2O3. Energy transfer from Nd³⁺to Yb³⁺is a linear function of the Yb³⁺concentration. The transfer increases with Nd³⁺concentration by about a factor of three in going from 1 weight percent Nd2O3to 6 weight percent Nd2O3and thereafter remains approximately constant. This indicates that the transfer from Nd³⁺to Yb³⁺is assisted by intermediate transfer steps between Nd³⁺ions. Additional transfer above 6 weight percent Nd2O3is prevented by concentration quenching.