Absorption and emission properties of Nd3+ in lithium cesium mixed alkali borate glasses

Lithium cesium mixed alkali borate glasses of the composition 67B2O3·xLi2O·(32−x)Cs2O (where x=8, 12, 16, 20 and 24) containing 1 mol% Nd2O3 were prepared by melt quenching. The absorption spectra of Nd3+ were studied from the experimental oscillator strengths and the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters were obtained. The intensity parameters are used to determine the radiative decay rates (emission probabilities of transitions) (AT), branching ratios (β) and integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ) of the Nd3+ transitions from the excited state J manifolds to the lower lying J′ manifolds. Radiative lifetimes (τR) are estimated for certain excited states of Nd3+ in these mixed alkali borate glasses. Luminescence spectra were measured and the emission cross-sections (σp) were evaluated for the three emission transitions. The variation of luminescence intensity with x was recorded for the three transitions at different excitation power to see the effect of mixed alkalies in these borate glasses.