Spectral Properties of Pr~(3+)-Doped Transparent-Glass-Ceramic Containing Ca_5(PO_4)_3F Nanocrystals

摘要

A Pr~(3+)-doped transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramic containing Ca_5(PO_4)_3 F nanocrystals was prepared by melt quenching and subsequent thermal treatment. The crystallization phase and morphology of the Ca_5(PO_4)_3 F nanocrystals were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The volume fraction of the Ca_5(PO_4)_3 F nanocrystals in the glass-ceramic is about 10% and the fraction of Pr~(3+) ions incorporated into the Ca_5(PO_4)_3 F nanocrystals is about 22%. The peak absorption cross sections at 435 and 574 nm increase up to 128% and 132% after crystallization, respectively. The peak stimulated emission cross sections of the ~3P_0→~3H_4 blue laser channel and ~3P_0→~3F_2 red laser channel for the glass-ceramic are 4.95 × 10 ~(20) and 29.8 × 10~(20) cm~2, respectively. The spectral properties indicate that the glass-ceramic is a potential visible laser material.