Lasing and spectral line characteristics in phosphate glasses and inorganic liquids with neodymium

Possible reasons for narrow-band oscillation of phosphate glass and inorganic liquid lasers with neodymium are described. It is shown that experimental data considered earlier to be evidence of fast energy-transfer rate can alternatively be explained if the degree of spectral line inhomogeneity is about unity. Neodymium stimulated-emission cross sections in phosphate glasses are compared at room and low temperatures. The results of the comparison suggest that the degree of spectral line inhomogeneity is small.