Laser emission of a Nd-doped mixed tellurite and zinc oxide glass

The present work reports the luminescence properties and the laser operation of a Nd3+-doped (TeO2-ZnO) bulk tellurite glass. The spectroscopic data are analyzed within the framework of the Judd-Ofelt formalism and the results are used in conjunction with fluorescence lifetime and emission measurements to derive values for the quantum efficiency and the stimulated emission cross section of the considered F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) infrared laser transition around 1062.5 mu m. Continuous-wave laser action is achieved for the first time with this bulk tellurite glass by pumping the sample inside a standard two-mirror laser cavity with different output couplers. A low-threshold pump power of 8 mW associated with a laser slope efficiency of 21% could be obtained for an output coupler transmission of 2.7%. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America