Variation of Nd3+ cross section for stimulated emission with glass composition

Abstract

The cross section for stimulated emission for the 1·06 μm transition of Nd3+ in glass has been determined by both laser and fluorescence measurements. Results from both methods were found to agree for six glasses studied. The change of cross section determined by the fluorescence method was established for a systematic change of glass composition over a wider range of glasses within the silicate system. The cross section was found to vary by a factor of 3·0, the highest value being obtained for a high Li2O/low SiO2 glass.