Spectroscopic analysis of Nd 3+ (4 f 3 ) absorption intensities in a plastic host (HEMA)

• Published in: Polymer international 2005-02, Vol.54 (2), p.412-417
• Main Authors: Sardar, Dhiraj K, Yow, Raylon M, Coeckelenbergh, Cody H, Sayka, Anthony, Gruber, John B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.1708

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Nd 3+ embedded in a 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) solid plastic host are characterized. The Judd–Ofelt model has been applied to the room temperature absorption intensities of Nd 3+ (4 f 3 ) transitions in HEMA to determine the three phenomenological intensity parameters: Ω 2 , Ω 4 and Ω 6 . The intensity parameters are then utilized to determine the radiative decay rates (emission probabilities of transitions) and branching ratios of the Nd 3+ (4 f 3 ) transitions from the upper manifold state 4 F 3/2 to the lower‐lying multiplet manifolds 4 I J ′ . The predicted decay rates and branching ratios of the Nd 3+ (4 f 3 ) inter‐manifold transitions in HEMA are compared with those in other laser host media. From the radiative decay rates, the radiative lifetime of the Nd 3+ 4 F 3/2 excited state is determined. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry