The optical properties and luminescence thermal quenching of Nd3+ dope
d BIGaZYTZr (30BaF2-18InF3-12GaF3-20ZnF2-10YF3-6ThF4-4ZrF4) fluoride g
lass at various Nd3+ concentrations (0.1, 1, 2, 3 and 5 mol%) have bee
n investigated by steady-state and time resolved spectroscopy. The dec
rease of the lifetime of the F-4(3/2) state of Nd3+ as the concentrati
on increases can be associated to a fast diffusion process between Nd3
+ ions. From the thermal behaviour of lifetimes a T3 dependence for th
e non-radiative Nd-Nd relaxation processes has been found in the 15-10
0 K temperature range and Nd3+ concentrations greater than 1%.