Spectroscopic characteristics of Sm3+-doped alkali fluorophosphate glasses

Optical absorption, luminescence and lifetime measurements of SM3+-doped alkali fluorophosphate glasses with molar compositions of 50(NaPO3)(6) + 10TeO(2) + 20AlF(3) + 19RF + 1Sm(2)O(3) (R=Li, Na and K) are described. The variation of optical properties with glass composition plays a dominant role in the determination of efficient laser materials. From the experimental oscillator strengths of f-f electric dipole transitions, the phenomenological Judd-Ofelt parameters have been evaluated and are used to evaluate radiative parameters such as radiative transition probabilities (A(R)), branching ratios (beta(R)), lifetimes (tau(R)) and integrated absorption cross-section (sigma(a)) for various excited levels. The predicted values of tau(R) and beta(R) from the (4)G(5/2) excited level to its lower levels are compared with the experimentally measured values. Stimulated emission cross-sections (or.) were also determined for (4)G(5/2) -> H-6(J) (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 11/2) emission transitions. From the emission transitions of Sm3+ in these alkali tellurofluorophosphate glasses certain potential laser transitions have been identified. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.