UV-violet emission properties of 2F(2) 5/2 energy level of Nd 3+ ions in ZBLAN glass

Abstract

In this work the short-wavelength emission properties are investigated for the highest observed 4f metastable energy level 2F(2) 5/2 of Nd 3+ ions in fluorozirconate ZBLAN glass. Various dopant concentrations, ambient temperatures and excitation conditions have been considered throughout the study. Distinct spectral features were observed under pulsed and cw excitation at 514 nm. In particular, pulsed pumping enabled recording of 2F(2) 5/2 emission spectra, not observable under CW excitation, as well as the level's fluorescence decay dynamics and its evolution with temperature and dopant concentration. According to the best of the authors' knowledge, neither the fluorescence lifetime of 2F(2) 5/2 of Nd 3+ in ZBLAN, nor its concentration dependent evolution were reported before. © Springer-Verlag 2012.