Laser spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ -doped tellurite glasses

The stimulated emission cross-section σ and fluorescence lifetime for the 1.06 μm emission (⁴F_3/2 →⁴I_1/12) have been measured for a number of Nd-doped tellurite glasses. The measured value of σ ? 9 × 10^-20 cm ² for the tellurite glasses is to be compared with the value of 3.5 × 10^-20 cm ² for the ED-2 glass. Based on the measured spectroscopic parameters, an LED-pumped tellurite glass fiber laser is predicted to perform better than ED-2 glass, both in the longitudinal and transverse pumping configuration. The threshold for side-pumped tellurite glass laser can be comparable or even lower than that in Nd:YAG.