On the origin of bichromatic laser emission in Nd(3+)-doped fluoride glasses

Abstract

In this work we present a detailed study about the influence of the host matrix in the spectroscopic and laser properties of Nd(3+) in three different fluoride glasses. Site-selective time-resolved techniques have been used to investigate the crystal field changes felt by the Nd(3+) ion as a consequence of glass inhomogeneity. Stimulated emission experiments performed under selective wavelength laser pumping show the existence of bichromatic emission from two distinguishable site distributions for Nd(3+) in fluoride glasses. This result can be explained by the moderate inter-site energy transfer among Nd(3+) ions found in these systems.