THE OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF ZRF4-BASED GLASSES WITH EXTENDED PR3-]H-3(5) FLUORESCENCE LIFETIMES((1)G(4))

Thermally stable ZrF4-based glasses with pr(3+):(1)G(4) --> H-3(5) flu orescence lifetimes longer than that of conventional ZBLAN glass have been developed. In addition to lifetime measurements the transmission characteristics, absorption spectra, 1.3 mu m emission spectra and ref ractive indices of these novel glasses were determined. Fourier transf orm infrared reflectance and phonon sideband spectra suggest that the prolonged lifetimes are due to a reduction in the phonon energy in the vicinity of Pr3+ ions and a decrease in the electron-phonon coupling strength.