Enhanced 1.53-μm and lowered upconversion luminescence in Er-doped Ga2O3-GeO2-Bi2O3-Na2O glass by codoping rare earths

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer (ET) in Ga₂O₃-GeO₂-Bi₂O₃-Na₂O (GGBN, glass doped with Er³⁺ and rare earths (RE³⁺; RE³⁺=Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) have been investigated. Intense 1.53-μm emission with the peak emission cross-section achieved to 7.58×10⁻²¹ cm² from Er³⁺-doped GGBN glass has been obtained upon excitation at 980 nm. Effects of RE³⁺ (RE³⁺=Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) codoping on the optical properties of Er³⁺-doped GGBN glass have been investigated and the possible ET mechanisms involved have also been discussed. Significant enhancement of the 1.53 μm emission intensity and decrease of upconversion (UC) fluorescence with increasing Ce³⁺ concentration have been observed. The incorporation of Tb³⁺ into Er³⁺-doped GGBN glass could significantly decrease the UC emission intensity, but meanwhile decrease the 1.53 μm emission intensity due to the ET from Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 to Tb³⁺:⁷F₂. The results indicate that the incorporation of Ce³⁺ into Er³⁺-doped GGBN glass can effectively improve 1.53-μm and lower UC luminescence, which makes GGBN glass more attractive for use in C-band optical fiber amplifiers.     

Optical character of Er/Yb co-doped P2O5-CaO-Na2O-Al2O3-AgO phosphate glass

The up-conversion (UC) and near infrared (NIR) luminescence of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glass are investigated. In the UC emission range, the 523 nm, 546 nm green emissions and the 659 nm red emission are observed. With the increasing pump power, the intensity ratios of I₅₂₃/I₆₅₉, I₅₄₆/I₆₅₉ and I₅₂₃/I₅₄₆ increase gradually. The phenomenon is reasonably interpreted by theoretical analysis based on steady state rate equations. The emission cross section of the infrared emission at 1546 nm is larger (about 6.7 × 10^− 21 cm²), which is suitable for making fiber amplifier.     

Optical properties of Er in MoO3-Bi2O3-TeO2 glasses

Erbium-doped MoO₃−Bi₂O₃−TeO₂ (MBT) glasses suitable for broadband optical amplifier applications have been fabricated and characterized optically. The maximum phonon band of undoped glasses is at 915 cm⁻¹, and the emission from the Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition locates around 1.53 μm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼80 nm. The lifetime and quantum efficiency of the ⁴I_13/2 level are 2.13 ms and ∼90%, respectively. Under the same measurement condition, the upconversion emission intensities at 550 nm in Er³⁺-doped MBT glasses is about 30 times weaker than that in Er³⁺-doped Na₂O−ZnO−TeO₂ (NZT) glasses.     

Spectroscopic investigations of Nd-, Er-, Er/Yb-, and Tm-ions doped SiO2-Al2O3-CaF2-GdF3 glasses

This paper reports on the absorption, visible and near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd³⁺, Er³⁺, Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺, and Tm³⁺ doped oxyfluoride aluminosilicate glasses. From the measured absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆) have been calculated for all the studied ions. Decay lifetime curves were measured for the visible emissions of Er³⁺ (558 nm, green), and Tm³⁺ (650 and 795 nm), respectively. The near infrared emission spectrum of Nd³⁺ doped glass has shown full width at half maximum (FWHM) around 45 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 transition), 45 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition), and 60 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2 transition), respectively, with 800 nm laser diode (LD) excitation. For Er³⁺, and Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺ co-doped glasses, the characteristic near infrared emission bands were spectrally centered at 1532 and 1544 nm, respectively, with 980 nm laser diode excitation, exhibiting full width at half maximum around 50 and 90 nm for the erbium ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. The measured maximum decay times of ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition (at wavelength 1532 and 1544 nm) are about 5.280 and 5.719 ms for 1Er³⁺ and 1Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺ (mol%) co-doped glasses, respectively. The maximum stimulated emission cross sections for ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ are 10.81×10⁻²¹ and 5.723×10^-21 cm². These glasses with better thermal stability, bright visible emissions and broad near-infrared emissions should have potential applications in broadly tunable laser sources, interesting optical luminescent materials and broadband optical amplification at low-loss telecommunication windows.     

Effect of Ce codoping on Er-doped bismuth-germanate glass and fiber under 980 nm excitation

Er³⁺/Ce³⁺ codoped bismuth-germanate glasses with the composition of Bi₂O₃-GeO₂-Ga₂O₃-Na₂O were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, upconversion emission and lifetimes of Er³⁺ ions were measured, and the effects of Ce³⁺-doping on the spectroscopic properties of 1.53 μm band fluorescence of Er³⁺ ion were investigated based on the analysis of energy transfer between Er³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions. The results indicate that the 1.53 μm band fluorescence intensity can be improved evidently with the Ce³⁺-doped concentration under the excitation of 980 nm. Meanwhile, the theoretical simulation based on the population rate equation and light power propagation equation indicates that the C + L band signal gain can also be improved dramatically by introducing Ce³⁺ ions into the Er³⁺-doped bismuth-germanate glass fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce Ce³⁺ ions when Er³⁺-doped bismuth-germanate glass with low phonon energy is applied to the 1.53 μm band broad Er³⁺-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA).     

Near-infrared emissions with widely different widths in two kinds of Er-doped oxide glasses with high refractive indices and low phonon energies

Er³⁺-doped alkali-barium-bismuth-tellurite (LKBBT) and alkali-barium-bismuth-gallate (LKBBG) glasses with high refractive indices and low phonon energies have been designed, fabricated, characterized and compared. Intense 1.53 μm emissions with widely different widths in the two kinds of glasses were observed and recorded under 980 nm diode laser excitation. The full-widths at half-maximum of the 1.53 μm emission bands in LKBBT and LKBBG glasses are 58 and 40 nm, and the lifetimes of them were measured to be 3.21 and 3.97 ms, respectively. The quantum efficiencies for the ⁴I_13/2 level in both glasses are almost 100%. The 1.53 μm broad and narrow emissions with high spontaneous emission probabilities and large emission cross-sections indicate that Er³⁺-doped LKBBT and LKBBG glasses are suitable materials in developing broadband optical amplifier and infrared laser, respectively.     

Role of Al2O3 in upconversion and NIR emission in Tm and Er codoped calcium fluoro phosphorous silicate glass system

In this study, the principal role of Al₂O₃ on the features of the photoluminescence spectra of Tm³⁺ ion and upconversion phenomenon in Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped CaF₂−Al₂O₃−P₂O₅−SiO₂ glass system has been investigated. The concentration of Al₂O₃ is varied from 2 to 10 mol% while that of Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ is fixed. IR and Raman spectral studies have indicated that there is a gradual increase in the degree of disorder in the glass network with increase in the concentration of Al₂O₃ up to 6.0 mol%. This is attributed to the presence of Al³⁺ ions in octahedral positions in larger proportions. When the glasses are doped with Tm³⁺ ions, the blue and red emissions were observed, whereas in Er³⁺ doped glasses blue, green and red emissions were observed. When the glasses are codoped with Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions and excited at 790 nm, all the three emission lines were observed to be reinforced, especially in the glasses mixed with 6.0 mol% of Al₂O₃. The IR emission band detected at about 1.8 μm due to ³F₄→³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺ ions is also observed to be strengthened due to codoping. The reasons for enhancement in the intensity of various emission bands due to codoping have been identified and discussed with the help of rate equations for various emission transitions.     

Spectroscopic properties in Er Er3+/Yb3+Co-doped fluorophosphate glass

Using the technique of high-temperature melting, a new Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped fluorophosphate glass was prepared. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in depth. The effect of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ concentration on the spectroscopic properties of the glass sample was also discussed. According to the Judd-Ofelt theory, the oscillator strength was computed. The lifetime of ⁴I_13/2 level (τ_m) of Er³⁺ ions was 8.23 ms, and the full width at half maximum of the dominating emission peak was 68 nm at 1.53 τ_m. The large stimulated emission cross section of the Er³⁺ was calculated by the McCumber theory. The spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺ ion were compared with those in different glasses. The full width at half maximum and σ_e are larger than those of other glass hosts, indicating this studied glass may be a potentially useful candidate for high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifier.     

掺铒高硅氧玻璃光谱性质的研究

应用Judd-Oflet理论计算了新型掺铒高硅氧玻璃中铒离子的强度参量Ω_t(t=2,4,6)，Ω₂=8.15×10^-20，Ω₄=1.43×10^-20，Ω₆=1.22×10^-20，相比于其他氧化物玻璃，表现出较大的Ω_2,6值，反映了铒离子周围的近邻结构不对称性和Er-O键的离子键成分较高.利用McCumber理论计算得到了能级^{关键词： 掺铒高硅氧玻璃 Judd-Ofelt理论 量子效率}     

Optical detection of near infrared femtosecond laser-heating of Er-doped ZnO-Nb2O5-TeO2 glass by green up-conversion fluorescence of Er ions

The green up-conversion fluorescence of Er³⁺ ions doped in an nonlinear optical ZnO-Nb₂O₅-TeO₂ glass was observed by using 800 nm excitation from a regenerative femtosecond (fs) Ti:Sapphire laser. The detailed analysis on two fluorescence lines at 526 nm (²H_11/2-⁴I_15/2) and 548 nm (⁴S_3/2-⁴I_15/2) revealed the fs laser heating of the multi-component TeO₂-based glass, which was possibly due to its nonlinear absorption of the host glass via the imaginary part of the third-order optical susceptibility (χ⁽³⁾). The result was compared with that of a Er³⁺-doped aluminosilicate glass under the same irradiation condition. When the fs laser was irradiated to the multicomponent TeO₂-based glass in the power density of 150 TW/cm², the laser spot was heated up to ∼520 K, which however was still less than the glass transition temperature (T_g=688 K). This technique provides a useful sensing method of laser spot temperature even inside transparent materials.     

Er3+/Ce3+共掺碲铋酸盐玻璃的制备及光谱特性提高研究

采用高温熔融退火法制备了系列 80TeO₂-10Bi₂O₃-10TiO₂-0.5Er₂O₃-xCe₂O₃ (x=0,0.25, 0.5,0.75,1.0 mol%)和(80-y) TeO₂-10Bi₂O₃-10TiO₂-yWO₃-0.5Er₂O₃-0.75Ce₂O₃ (y=3,6,9,12 mol%)的碲铋酸盐玻璃.测试了玻璃样品400-1700 nm范围内的吸收光谱, 975 nm抽运下的上转换发光谱和1.53 μm波段荧光谱, 以及808 nm激励下的Er³⁺离子荧光寿命和无掺杂玻璃样品的Raman光谱, 并结合Judd-Ofelt理论和McCumber理论计算了Er³⁺离子光谱参数.结果表明, 在掺Er³⁺碲铋酸盐玻璃中引入Ce³⁺离子进行Er³⁺/Ce³⁺共掺, 通过Er³⁺离子⁴I_11/2能级与Ce³⁺离子²F_5/2 能级间基于声子辅助的能量传递过程,可以有效抑制Er³⁺离子上转换发光并明显增强其 1.53 μm波段荧光;同时,在现有Er³⁺/Ce³⁺共掺玻璃组分基础上引入WO₃, 可进一步提高1.53 μm波段荧光并展宽其荧光发射谱. 研究结果对于获取优异光谱特性的宽带掺Er³⁺光纤放大器玻璃基质具有实际意义.     

Judd-Ofelt analysis and near infrared emission properties of the Er ions in tellurite glasses containing WO3 and CdO

The influence of erbium (Er³⁺) ion concentration on the infrared emission at 1.5 μm in TeO₂-WO₃ and TeO₂-CdO-WO₃ glasses was studied. The samples were prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The optical properties were studied by measuring the absorption and luminescence spectra at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω_t), transition probabilities, branching ratios of various transitions and their radiative lifetimes were calculated from the optical absorption spectra. Absorption and emission cross-section spectra and the Stark Levels splitting for the ⁴I_13/2 to ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ centered at 1.5 μm were determined.     

Broadband near-IR emission and temperature dependence in Er/Tm co-doped Bi2O3–SiO2–Ga2O3 glasses

The broadband near-IR emission has been investigated in a series of Er/Tm co-doped Bi₂O₃–SiO₂–Ga₂O₃ (BSG) glasses with 800 nm laser diode as an excitation source. A broadband emission extending from 1350 to 1650 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) around 165 nm is obtained in 0.2 wt% Er₂O₃ and 1.0 wt% Tm₂O₃ co-doped BSG glass. The fluorescence decay curves of glasses are measured and maximum energy transfer efficiency from Er³⁺ to Tm³⁺ reaches 71% when Tm³⁺ concentration is 1.0 wt%. The temperature dependence of the broadband emission spectra in Er³⁺–Tm³⁺ co-doped BSG glass is also recorded to further understand the energy-transfer processes between Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺. The present work suggests that Er/Tm co-doped BSG glasses can be a potential candidate for broadband integrated amplifier.     

Judd–Ofelt analysis and improvement of thermal and optical properties of tellurite glasses by adding P2O5

Er³⁺ and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped tellurite glasses, suitable for developing optical fiber laser and amplifier, have been elaborated from the conventional melt-quenching method. Results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements indicate a good thermal stability of tellurite glasses. The DSC measurements show an improvement of thermal stability of glass hosts after adding P₂O₅. Absorption spectrum from near infrared to visible was obtained and the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆) were determined. Spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions, branching ratio, and radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺ have been predicted using intensity J–O parameters. Absorption cross-section and calculated emission cross-section, using the McCumber method, for the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition, were determined and compared for the doped and co-doped glasses. Energy transfer (ET) and effect of changing concentration of P₂O₅ and Yb³⁺ ions on spectroscopic properties were investigated. It was found that the addition of P₂O₅ can increase the symmetry of the Er³⁺ ion. As a consequence, PL lifetime becomes more longer.The spectroscopic properties and the efficient infrared luminescence indicate that Er³⁺ doped TeO₂–ZnO–Na₂O–Er₂O₃(TZNE) is a promising laser and amplifier materials and may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion fiber optical devices.     

Optical characterization, 1.5 μm emission and IR-to-visible energy upconversion in Er-doped fluorotellurite glasses

The optical properties of Er³⁺ ions in a novel glass based on TeO₂-PbF₂-AlF₃ oxyfluoride tellurites have been investigated using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopies as a function of the rare-earth doping concentration. Basic optical characterizations have been performed measuring and calculating the absorption and emission spectra and the cross-sections, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, the radiative probabilities and the fluorescence decays and lifetimes. Special attention has been devoted to the broad ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 emission transition at around 1.53 μm since, with a wide broadening of around 70 nm and a relative long lifetime of around 3 ms compared to others glass hosts, it shows potential applications in the design of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. The absorption, the stimulated emission and the gain cross-sections of this transition have been obtained and compared with that obtained in different hosts. Finally, infrared-to-visible upconversion processes exciting at around 800 nm have been analyzed and different mechanisms involved in the energy conversion have been proposed.     

Improvement of thermal and spectroscopic behavior of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped tellurite glass for lasing materials

Tellurite glasses (TeO₂–ZnO–Nb₂O₅) mono-doped Er³⁺ and co-doped Er³⁺/Ce³⁺ have been prepared using the melt-quenching technique. To evaluate the effect of Ce³⁺ on the structural, thermal stability of glass hosts and fluorescence properties of Er³⁺, X-ray diffraction patterns, Ftir spectra, differential scanning calorimeter curves, absorption spectra, fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, up-conversion emission spectra of glass samples were measured and investigated. Using Judd–Ofelt theory, we calculated intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆), spontaneous emission probabilities, the radiative lifetime, luminescence branching factors and the quantum yield of luminescence for ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition. The co-doping with Ce³⁺ was effective on the suppression of up-conversion emission of Er³⁺ owing to the phonon-assisted energy transfer: Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2 + Ce³⁺:²F_5/2 → Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 + Ce³⁺:²F_7/2 which contributed the effective enhancement of 1.53 µm fluorescence emission. The change in optical properties with the addition of Ce³⁺ ions have been discussed and compared with other glasses. Using the Mc Cumber method for the ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition, absorption cross-section, calculated emission cross-section, and gain cross-section values support that TZNEr1Ce1 glass is a potential material for developing broad-band and high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifiers applied for 1.53 µm.     

Thermal and optical properties of Er-doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses

Er³⁺-doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses with four different concentrations of Er³⁺ ions have been prepared and investigated their thermal, optical absorption, excitation and luminescence properties. From the DSC spectra, glass transition and onset of crystallization temperatures have been found. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been derived from the absorption spectrum and are in turn used to calculate radiative properties for the important luminescent levels of Er³⁺ ions. The calculated radiative properties are comparable to experimental values. The glasses show intense green and weak red emission under normal excitation with 451 nm. The decrease in emission intensities and lifetimes of the ⁴S_3/2 level with concentration of Er³⁺ ions has been explained as due to energy transfer processes between Er³⁺ ions. The stimulated emission cross-sections and quantum efficiencies of the green and infrared emissions have been determined. The results indicate that the glasses may be suitable for use as a laser medium in making solid-state green laser by normal pumping route and as laser medium and optical amplifier in the 1.5 μm region.     

Effect of hydroxyl groups on Er-doped bismuth-borate glass and fiber

A series of Er³⁺-doped Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃-GeO₂-Na₂O glasses with different OH⁻ group contents were prepared and the interactions between Er³⁺ ions and OH⁻ groups were investigated. The observed increase of the fluorescence intensity and decaying variation from an evident non-exponential to a nearly exponential behavior of the Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 level with the oxygen gas bubbling time was related to the reduction of the OH⁻ group contents evidenced by infrared (IR) absorption spectra, which demonstrated that the OH⁻ groups were dominant quenching centers of the excited Er³⁺. Meanwhile, by reducing the OH⁻ group contents in the fiber cores with the same glass composition, the simulated gain characteristics improved dramatically and a 12.4 dB gain at 1560 nm was achieved in a 20 cm fiber with 150 mW pumping power at 980 nm.     

Effect of Ce on the spectroscopic properties in Er doped TeO2-GeO2-Nb2O5-Li2O glasses

The Ce³⁺ ion was introduced into Er³⁺ doped TeO₂-GeO₂-Nb₂O₅-Li₂O (TGNL) glass to improve the 1.5 μm fluorescence characteristics. As increasing of Ce³⁺ concentration, the lifetime of Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2 level is shortened form 360 to 225 μs, while the Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 level remains unchanged. Accordingly, the upconversion fluorescence (blue, green and red) was quenched. Improved 1.5 μm emission is obtained and the reason is ascribed to the increase of nonradiative rate between the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 level of the Er³⁺ ions.     

Influence of structural evolution on fluorescence properties of transparent glass ceramics containing LaF3 nanocrystals

The structural evolution and the fluorescence properties of Er³⁺-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics were investigated for samples at different stages of LaF₃ crystallization. TEM observation revealed the homogeneous precipitation of spherical LaF₃ crystals sized in the range of 10-15 nm among the glassy matrix for a sample heated to 690 °C. The crystallization induced the splitting of Er³⁺ emission peaks and the appearance of upconversion in the visible wave-band, implying the incorporation of Er³⁺ into a low-phonon-energy crystalline fluoride environment. In the isothermal experiment at 650 °C, with the increasing of crystal size that resulted from prolonged heating time, the relative intensity of upconversion emission at 660 nm to that at 540 nm decreased significantly, probably due to the reducing of multiphonon relaxation rate between ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴F_9/2, which was believed to be caused by weaker interactions of the Er³⁺ electronic states in nanocrystals with the vibrational excitations of the surrounding glass medium and with the mixed vibrational modes of nanocrystallites and glass for the system with larger particle size. The remarkable difference in spectrum shape of the visible emissions under 378 nm excitation and 980 nm excitation implied that a certain amount of Er³⁺ ions still remained in the glass matrix after crystallization.