Nonradiative energy transfer from Cr³⁺to Nd³⁺ions in glasses with high neodymium concentrations

Abstract

An investigation is made of the possibility of improving the optical pumping efficiency of laser phosphate glasses with high neodymium concentrations by introducing Cr3+ ions as Nd3+ luminescence sensitizers. The results indicate efficient nonradiative excitation energy transfer from Cr3+ to Nd3+ ions in glasses with high concentrations at temperatures of 77°K and 300°K with transfer probabilities higher than 105 and 106 sec–1, respectively. The Cr3+–Nd3+ interaction process is more efficient than the intracenter nonradiative losses in Cr3+. This is promoted by the proximity of the interacting Nd3+ and Cr3+ ions and the large overlap of the optical spectra of the energy donors and acceptors.