Considered to be a candidate for large-size bulk materials used in lasers and other fields, Nd3+-doped glass ceramics containing NaYF4 nanocrystallites are prepared. Using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, we show that pure cubic NaYF4 is well precipitated in the glass matrix. To obtain the optical property of this material at 1.06 μm, the fluorescence decay of 4 F 3/2 energy levels is measured and analyzed. It is found that the fluorescence lifetime decreases first and then increases with the increasing dopant concentration due to the existing but finally weakening energy dissipation. As a result, a long radiation lifetime of about 191–444 μs is obtained at 1.06 μm in the prepared material. It is thus revealed that Nd3+-doped glass ceramic containing NaYF4 nanocrystallites is a potential candidate as a near-infrared laser material.

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