Excitation energy transfer between Pr{sup 3+} and Nd{sup 3+} rare-earth ions in silicate glass

Nonradiative excitation transfer (NET) was observed between trivalent Pr{sup 3+} and Nd{sup 3+} ions in silicate glass. Cooperative sensitisation of the luminescence of Nd{sup 3+} ions by Pr{sup 3+} ions in the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} {yields} {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} transition was observed as a result of NET. The luminescence was excited by the cw radiation of an Nd{sup 3+}:YAG laser with a power of {approx}800 W ({lambda} = 1.064 {mu}m) operating on the basis of the {sup 3}H{sub 4} {yields} {sup 1}G{sub 4} transition at the wavelength corresponding to the Pr{sup 3+} absorption band. The NET mechanism, responsible for the luminescence of the Nd{sup 3+} ion at the wavelength corresponding to the band with a maximum at {lambda} = 1.34 {mu}m, is discussed. (active media)