Optical Properties of Polymethyl Methacrylate Doped with Neodymium Chelates.

The luminescence of Nd(DBM) 3 (H 2 O) 2 -, Nd(DBM) 3 Phen-, and Nd(DBM) 3 (TOPO) 2 -doped polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was investigated under excitation at 17,100 cm -1 ( 4 I 9/2 ? 4 G 7/2 ). The 4 F 3/2 ? 4 I 11/2 transition of the Nd(DBM) 3 (TPPO) 2 -doped PMMA showed the strongest intensity. In order to predict the radiative properties of Nd(DBM) 3 (TOPO) 2 -doped PMMA, its absorption spectrum was measured and Judd-Ofelt parameters (O 2 , O 4 , O 6 ) were calculated. The values of the radiative lifetime and the emission cross-section of 4 F 3/2 ? 4 I 11/2 transition are comparable with those shown by glasses used in solid state laser applications. It can be concluded that Nd(DBM) 3 (TOPO) 2 -doped PMMA is an efficient luminescent material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]