1.06 μm NIR emission of Nd³⁺⁻embedded in mixed alkali borate glasses for lasing application

The Nd³⁺-embedded in mixed alkali borate glasses (LNKBNd) were synthesized by melt quenching technique. The physical, optical and near-infrared luminescence properties were analyzed. The density, refractive index and optical absorption intensity were found to increase with Nd³⁺ concentration. The ⁴I_9/2 → ⁴G_5/2+²G_7/2 transition demonstrated the highest absorbance compared to other transitions. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence measurements of the revealed a strong NIR emission at 1.06 μm corresponding to ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition when excited with an 808 nm diode laser, and the maximum emission intensity was obtained from the LNKBNd glass with 0.5 mol% of Nd³⁺. The Judd-Ofelt theory (JO) was applied for calculating the cross-section of stimulated emissions of the LNKBNd glass with 0.5 mol% of Nd³⁺. The trend of JO parameters was found as Ω₄ > Ω₆> Ω₂, indicating the rigid nature of the present glasses. The radiative properties at 1061 nm were determined as as A_R = 6359 s^-1, β_Rexp = 0.808, and σ_e = 9.75 × 10^-20 cm². The obtained results suggested that the 0.5 mol% of Nd³⁺ -embedded in LNKBNd glass has a potential for use as pivotal luminescent devices in the 1.06 μm lasing applications.