Nd3+ doped fluorochlorozirconate glass:3.9 μm MIR emission properties and energy transfer

The Nd3+ doped fluorochlorozirconate (FCZ) glass was prepared by melt-quenching method. The 3.9 μm emission from Nd3+ ions is attributed to the two-photon absorption process. The strong emission transition at 3.9 μm fluorescence peak intensity, corresponding to the 4G11/2→2K13/2 transition, is directly proportional to the NaCl concentration. With the increase of the Cl- ions amount, the mid-infrared (MIR) luminescent intensity is significantly enhanced. Additionally, the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) parameter Ω2 is larger than that of the fluorozirconate (FZ) glass, which indicates the covalency of the bond between RE ions and ligand is stronger as Cl- ions substitution of F- ions in chloride FZ glass. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the amorphous glassy state keeps the FZ glass network structure. In brief, the advantageous spectroscopic characteristics make the Nd3+-doped FCZ glass be a promising candidate for application of 3.9 μm emission.