Energy transfer from Cr3+ to Nd3+ and NIR luminescence of Nd3+ in lead borate glasses.

Energy transfer processes from Cr3+ to Nd3+ and NIR luminescence of Nd3+ ions at 1.06 µm in Cr-Nd co-doped lead borate glasses have been investigated. The spectroscopic investigation indicates that Cr3+ ions are located at strong-field and weak-field sites. Replacing PbO by PbF2 in lead borate glasses slightly influences the energy transfer processes between Cr3+ and Nd3+ and NIR luminescence of Nd3+ ions. The energy transfer process occurs in both oxide and oxyfluoride glass systems, which may be due to the thermally induced population of the 4T2 excited state of Cr3+ ions and the participation of lattice phonons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]