Fluorescence properties of Nd3+-doped tellurite glasses

The compositional and concentration dependence of luminescence of the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(J) (J = 13/2, 11/2 and 9/2) transitions in four Nd3+-doped tellurite based glasses has been studied. The free-ion energy levels obtained for 60TeO(2) + 39ZnO(2) + 1.0Nd(2)O(3) (TZN10) glass have been analysed using the free-ion Hamiltonian model and compared with similar results obtained for Nd3+ :glass systems. The absorption spectrum of TZN10 glass has been analysed using the Judd-Ofelt theory. Relatively longer decay rates have been obtained for Nd3+-doped phosphotellurite glasses. The emission characteristics of the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) transition, of the Nd3+ :TZN10 glass, are found to be comparable to those obtained for Nd3+ :phosphate laser glasses. The non-exponential shape of the emission decay curves for the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) transition is attributed to the presence of energy transfer processes between the Nd3+ ions.