Abstract
A spectroscopic investigation is performed on Nd
3+ doped cadmium-phosphate glasses. The Judd–Ofelt analysis is applied to the glass system in order to evaluate their potential as both glass laser and amplifier materials. The phenomenological Judd–Ofelt parameters
Ω
(2),
Ω
(4), and
Ω
(6) are determined, their values are 4.80×10
−20, 6.18×10
−20, and 7.14×10
−20
cm
−2, respectively. The quality factor for glass system is 0.86. Predicted radiative decay rates and branching ratios of transitions from Nd
3+
4F
3/2 state to the
4I
J
manifolds are determined and analyzed. The calculated lifetime of the
4F
3/2 metastable state of Nd
3+ is 31
μs. The results showed that
4F
3/2 to
4I
11/2 transition, with fluorescence at 1056
nm, has the most potential for laser application. Photoluminescence up-conversion under excitation at 488
nm laser light exhibits three emission bands of Nd
3+ ions at 541 (green), 601 (orange), and 677
nm (red). These emission bands are assigned to
4G
7/2→
4I
9/2,
4G
7/2→
4I
11/2, and
4G
7/2→
4I
13/2 transitions, respectively. Analysis of luminescence spectra enhances the use of glass system in optical displays, lasers, and optical memory devices.