Optical Transition Probability of Nd ³⁺ Ions Doped in Ferroelectric Plzt for Active Electro-Optical Applications

Abstract

The optical transition probability of Nd3+ (0.5 mol%) doped lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) is investigated. The absolute intensities of its forced electric dipole transitions between 400 nm and 1000 nm were measured, from which we obtain three phenomenological parameters, Ω2 = 0.787×10−20 cm2, Ω4 = 1.182×10−20 cm2, and Ω6 = 1.042×10−20 cm2, according to the Judd–Ofelt theory. The radiation lifetime (346.9 μs) of the 4F3/2 metastable state, the stimulated emission cross-section σij (2.49×10−21 cm2, 6.51×10−21 cm2, 2.17×10−21 cm2) and the fluorescence branch ratios are calculated. We also measured the fluorescence lifetime (155.84 μs) and calculated the quantum efficiency (46.1%). The analysis reveals that Nd3+-doped PLZT, based on its large electro-optical effect, has potential applications in active optical devices.