Near Infrared Photoluminescence of Nd-Doped ZBP Glasses

In this work we report on a study of a series of zinc-borophosphate (ZBP) glasses doped with neodymium oxide (Nd2O3). The synthesis of the samples was performed by a high temperature melt quenching procedure in an air atmosphere. We present a complex photoluminescence study on a series of (72.31-x) ZnO-18B2O3-9.69P2O5-xNd2O3 glasses doped with trivalent neodymium oxide (with concentration x) in a range 0.15–1.00 mol%) to explore possible applications. The excitation and luminescence properties were measured, and the photoluminescence was studied within the spectral range from 200 nm to 950 nm under different excitation wavelengths. Emission spectra in the 850–1500 nm range were obtained under an excitation wavelength of 808 nm. We have also measured the thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A strong emission peak is observed at 1060 nm with a width of 30 nm and an exponential decay with a characteristic time of 95 μs. The results of a series of Nd-doped zinc-borophosphate glasses show potential as a medium for solid state infrared laser applications.