UP-CONVERSION IN NEODYMIUM-DOPED FLUORIDE GLASSES

Room temperature upconversion in Nd doped fluoride glasses excited wit h a cw diode laser is reported for the first time. With 801 nm diodes, efficiencies are high enough for the protected eye to see white light with pump powers as low as 10 mW. In addition, near-UV emission is pr oduced. Upconversion spectra are presented for a range of fluoride gla sses between 800 and 350 nm, together with excitation spectra and effi ciency estimates. Possible mechanisms for two and three photon excitat ion processes are suggested.