Temperature-dependent stimulated-emission cross section and concentration quenching in Nd3+-doped phosphate glasses

Measurements are reported of the spectroscopic properties of phosphate glasses doped with 3-, 5-, and 10-wt. % Nd3+ in the temperature range 70-300 K. The stimulated-emission cross sections of these glasses were determined by use of the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg formula at each temperature. The absorption spectra at room temperature were used to calculate the F-4(3/2) --> I-4(11/2) stimulated-emission cross section and the F-4(3/2) radiative lifetime according to Judd-Ofelt theory. Good agreement was obtained between measured and calculated stimulated-emission cross sections at room temperature. As the temperature decreased, the emission cross section increased while the emission lifetime remained constant for all the samples. The temperature dependences of the stimulated-emission cross sections for the differently doped glasses are in good agreement with earlier predictions. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.