2-um emission performance of Tm^3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses

The emission properties of 2-um region fluorescence of Tm^3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses are investigated. Introducing F- ions to the composition of tellurite glasses plays a positive effect on the 2-#m emission. A maximum intensity of 2-um emission is achieved when 1.5-mol% Tm2O3 and 1-mol% Ho203 concentration are doped in the glasses. The emission cross section and gain coefficient of the ^5I8-^5I7 transition of Ho^3＋ are calculated. The emission cross section has a maximum of 1.29×10-20 cm^2 at 2048 nm wavelength. The results indicate that Tm＆3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses are suitable for 2-um application.     

Spectroscopic properties of neodymium-doped tellurite glass fiber

Nd~(3+)-doped tellurite glass and a single mode tellurite glass fiber with a core diameter of 8 μm were prepared in this work. The 1.33-μm emission from the ~4F_(3/2)→~4I_(13/2) transition of Nd~(3+) with a spectral bandwidth of 55 nm in tellurite glass fiber is observed. The lifetime of 164 μs of ~4F_(3/2) level and quantum efficiency of about 100% are obtained.     

Mid-infrared luminescence of Dy~(3+)-doped Ga_2S_3–Sb_2S_3–CsI chalcohalide glasses

The mid-infrared(MIR) luminescent properties of Dy~(3+) ions in a new chalcohalide glass host, Ga_2S_3–Sb_2S_3–CsI,are investigated; and the suitability of the doped glass for MIR fiber lasers is evaluated. The Dy~(3+)-doped chalcohalide glasses exhibit good thermal stability and intense MIR emissions around 2.96 μm and 4.41 μm. These emissions show quantum efficiencies(η) as high as ~60%, and have relatively large stimulated emission cross sections(σem). The low phonon energy(~307 cm~(-1)) of the host glass accounts for the intense MIR emissions, as well as the high η. These favorable thermal and emission properties make the Dy~(3+)-doped Ga_2S_3–Sb_2S_3–CsI glasses promising materials for MIR fiber amplifiers or lasers.     

Effect of concentration quenching on the spectroscopic properties of Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped AlF_3-based glasses

A series of highly Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped fluoroaluminate glasses have been investigated in order to develop a microchip laser at 1.54 μm under 980 nm excitation. Measurements of absorption, emission and upconversion spectra have been performed to examine the effect of Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) concentration quenching on spectroscopic properties. In the glasses with Er~(3+) concentrations below 10 mol%, concentration quenching is very low and the Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped fluoroaluminate glasses have stronger fluorescence of 1.54μm due to the ~4I_(13/2)→~4I_(15/2) transition than that of Er~(3+) singly-doped glasses. As Er~(3+) concentrations above 10 mol% in the Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped samples, concentration quenching of 1.54μm does obviously occur as a result of the back energy transfer from Er~(3+) to Yb~(3+). To obtain the highest emission efficiency at 1.54μm, the optimum doping-concentration ratio of Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) was found to be approximately 1:1 in mol fraction when the Er~(3+) concentration is l     

Influence of Tm~(3+) ions on the amplification of Ho~(3+):~5I_7→~5I_8 transition in fluoride glass modified by Al(PO_3)_3 for applications in mid-infrared optics

In this work, we investigate a new type of fluoride glasses modified by Al(PO_3)_3 with various Tm~(3+)∕Ho~(3+) doping concentrations. The introduced PO_-~3 plays an effective role in improving the glass-forming ability and thermal stability. Besides, 1.47, 1.8, and 2.0 μm emissions originating from Tm~(3+)and Ho~(3+), respectively, are observed.The spectroscopic properties and energy transfer mechanisms between Tm~(3+)and Ho~(3+)are analyzed as well. It is noted that the higher predicted spontaneous transition probability(118.74 s-1) along with the larger product of measured decay lifetime and the emission cross section(σemi×τ) give evidence of intense 2.0 μm fluorescence.     

Crystal Structure and Judd–Ofelt Analysis of Er~(3+) Doped LuAl_3(BO_3)_4 Crystal

Single crystal Er:LuAl_3(BO_3)(Er:Lu AB) is successfully grown using the top-seeded solution growth method with a K_2Mo_3O_(10) flux. The cell parameters of the grown crystal are estimated by an x-ray single crystal diffactometor and x-ray powder diffraction analysis. The result indicates that it still belongs to the space group R32. The obtained unit-cell parameters are a= 9.2793(19) ?, c= 7.210(3) ?, V= 537.65(27) ?~3, and Z=3.The absorption spectrum is measured at room temperature. The spectroscopy properties are investigated based on the Judd–Ofelt(J-O) theory, and the effective J-O parameters were calculated to be Ω_2=8.33×10~(-20),Ω_4=3.83×10~(-20), and Ω_6 =3.55×10~(-20). The emission spectra of Er:LuAB crystal at room temperature are also studied and the ~4I_(11/2)→~4I_(13/2) fluorescence around 3170 nm is observed. The emission cross section calculated by the F-L formula is 8.6×10~(-20) cm~2. These results suggest that the Er:LuAB crystal may be a promising ~3 μm laser material.     

Spectroscopic properties in 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 4113/2 level （t-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 μm. The large stimulated emission cross section of the Er3＋ was calculated by the McCumher theory. The spectroscopic properties of Er3＋ ion were compared with those in different glasses. The full width at half maximum and σe 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.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Yb^3＋-doped Germano-Silicate Glasses

We investigate the absorption, stimulated emission cross section and potential laser parameters of Yb^3 doped gernano-silicate glasses (GSY glass). The emission cross section is evaluated by using the measured absorption spectra and the principle of reciprocity. It is found that Yb^3 in GSY glasses has high stimulated emission cross section of 0.5-0.65pm^2 near 1020nm and exists long measured fluorescence lifetime of 1.20-2.00ms. Compared with other glass hosts, the GSY glass exhibits excellent general spectroscopic properties for Yb^3 -doped double-cladding fibres.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Er~(3+), Pr~(3+) co-doped LiYF_4 crystal

In this paper, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Er~(3+), Pr~(3+)co-doped LiYF_4(Er,Pr:YLF) crystal were measured and analyzed. The Pr~(3+)co-doping was proved to effectively enhance the Er~(3+)∶~4I_(11/2)→~4I_(13/2) mid-infrared transition at the 2.7 μm with 74.1% energy transfer efficiency from Er~(3+)∶~4I_(13/2) to Pr~(3+)∶~3F_4. By using the Judd–Ofelt theory, the stimulated emission cross section was calculated to be 1.834 × 10~(-20) cm~2 at 2685 nm and 1.359 × 10~(-20) cm~2 at 2804.6 nm.Moreover, a diode-end-pumped Er,Pr:YLF laser operating at 2659 nm was realized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The maximum output power was determined to be 258 m W with a slope efficiency of 7.4%, and the corresponding beam quality factors M~2_x= 1.29 and M~2_y= 1.25. Our results suggest that Er,Pr:YLF should be a promising material for 2.7 μm laser generation.     

Spectral Properties of Erbium—Doped Oxyfluoride Silicate Glasses for Broadband Optical Amplifiers

The new oxyfluoride silicate glasses of Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-(50-x) PbO-xPbF2 were prepared. With increasing PbF2 content in the glass composition, the fluorescence full width at half maximum and lifetimes of the ^4I13/2 level of Er^3 increase, while the refractive indices and densities decrease. Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-50PbF2 glass showed broad fluorescence spectra of 1.55μm with a large stimulated emission cross-section and long lifetimes of ^4I13/2 level of Er^3 . Compared with other glass hosts, the gain bandwidth properties of Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-50PbF2 glass are close to those of tellurite and bismuth glasses, and have advantages over those of silicate, phosphate and germante glasses. The broad and flat ^4I13/2→^4I15/2 emission of Er^3 around 1.55μm can be used as host material for potential broadband optical amplifier in wavelength-division-multiplexing network system.     

Energy transfer mechanism in Er3＋ doped fluoride glass sensitized by Tm3＋ or no3＋ for 2.7-μm emission

Enhanced 2.7 μm emission is obtained in Er3＋/Tma＋ and Era＋/Ho3＋ codoped ZBYA glasses. Absorp- tion and emission spectra are tested to characterize the 2.7 μm emission properties of Era＋/Tm3＋ and Era＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glasses and a reasonable energy transfer mechanism of 2.7 μm emission between Er3＋ and Tm3＋Ho3＋） ion is proposed. Codoping of Tm3＋ or Ho3＋ significantly reduces the lifetime of the Era＋： 4I13/2 level due to the energy transfer of Er3＋：4I13/2 →Tm3＋：3F4 or Er3＋：4I13/2 →Ho3＋： 5I7. Thus, the 2.7μm emission is strengthened and the 1,5μm emission is decreased accordingly especially in the Era＋/Tma＋ sample. The upconversion effects between the Er3＋/Tm3＋ and Er3＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glasses are different attribute to the different energy transfer efficiencies. Both of the two codoped samples possess nearly equal large emission cross section （16.6 × 10 -21 cm-2） around 2.7 μm. The results indicate that this Er3＋/Tm3＋ or Er3＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glass has potential applications in 2.7 μm laser.     

Lasing Characteristics of Tm^3＋：Ho^3＋ Codoped Silica Fibre Laser Pumped by 1.18-μm Raman Fibre Laser

The fundamental characteristics of Fabry-Perot-cavity continuous-wave Tm-Ho codoped silica fibre lasers pumped by a 1.18μm Raman fibre laser are presented. A maximum output power of 930mW at 1880nm is generated for a fibre length of 1 m from the transition of Tm^3 , with a slope efficiency of 32.4%. For a 3-m-long fibre, the maximum output power decreases to 650 mW at 1960 nm due to the laser emission from Ho^3 with a lower slope efficiency of 25%, which clearly shows the effective energy transfer from Tm^3 to Ho^3 . The wavelength redshifting of the laser emission originates from the transition competition and the emission cross section difference between Tm^3 and Ho^3 .     

2.0-μm emission and energy transfer of Ho~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped LiYF_4 single crystal excited by 980 nm

Ho3+/Yb3+co-doped Li YF4 single crystals with various Yb3+concentrations and ～ 0.98 mol% Ho3+concentration are grown by the Bridgman method under the conditions of taking Li F and YF3 as raw materials and a temperature gradient(40°C/cm–50°C/cm) for the solid–liquid interface.The luminescent performances of the crystals are investigated through emission spectra,infrared transmittance spectrum,emission cross section,and decay curves under excitation by 980 nm.Compared with the Ho3+single-doped Li YF4 crystal,the Ho3+/Yb3+co-doped Li YF4 single crystal has an obviously enhanced emission band from 1850 nm to 2150 nm observed when excited by a 980-nm diode laser.The energy transfer from Yb3+to Ho3+and the optimum fluorescence emission around 2.0 μm of Ho3+ions are investigated.The maximum emission cross section of the above sample at 2.0 μm is calculated to be 1.08×10-20cm2 for the Li YF4 single crystal of1-mol% Ho3+and 6-mol% Yb3+according to the measured absorption spectrum.The high energy transfer efficiency of88.9% from Yb3+to Ho3+ion in the sample co-doped by Ho3+(1 mol%) and Yb3+(8 mol%) demonstrates that the Yb3+ions can efficiently sensitize the Ho3+ions.     

Optical transitions and upconversion properties of Er^3＋-doped chloride tellurite glasses

Er^{3+}-doped lead chloride tellurite glasses were prepared using the conventional melting and quenching method. The absorption spectra were measured and the Judd－Ofelt analysis was performed. The spectroscopic parameters such as the intensity parameters, transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios were obtained. Intense infrared emission and visible upconversion luminescence under 976 nm excitation were observed. For the 1.55μm emission, the full width at half maximum and the emission cross sections are more than 50 nm and 8×10^{- 20}cm^2, respectively. Three efficient visible luminescences centred at 525, 547, and 658nm are assigned to the transitions from the excited states {}^{2}H_{11/2}, {}^{4}S_{3/2}, and {}^{4}F_{9/2} to the ground state {}^{4}I_{15/2}, respectively. The upconversion mechanisms and the power-dependent intensities are also discussed and evaluated.     

The effects of Er3+ ion concentration on 2.0-μm emission performance in Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped Na5Y9F32 single crystal under 800-nm excitation

Na₅Y₉F₃₂ single crystals doped with ~0.8-mol% Ho³⁺,~1-mol% Tm³⁺,and various Er³⁺ ion concentrations were prepared by a modified Bridgman method.The effects of Er³⁺ion concentration on 2.0-μm emission excited by an800-nm laser diode were investigated with the help of their spectroscopic properties.The intensity of 2.0-μm emission reached to maximum when the Er³⁺ ion concentration was ~1 mol%.The energy transfer mechanisms between Er³⁺,Ho³⁺,and Tm³⁺ ions were identified from the change of the absorption spectra,the emission spectra,and the measured decay curves.The maximum 2.0-μm emission cross section of the Er³⁺/Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺tri-doped Na₅Y₉F₃₂ single crystal reached 5.26 × 10^-21 cm².The gain cross section spectra were calculated according to the absorption and emission cross section spectra.The cross section for ~2.0-μm emission became a positive gain once the inversion level of population was reached 30%.The energy transfer efficiency was further increased by 11.81% through the incorporation of Er³⁺ ion into Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺ system estimated from the measured lifetimes of Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺-and Er³⁺/Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺-doped Na₅Y₉F₃₂single crystals.The present results illustrated that the Er³⁺/Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺tri-doped Na₅Y₉F₃₂ single crystals can be used as promising candidate for 2.0-μm laser.     

Spectral properties of erbium-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glasses for broadband amplification

Erbium-doped glasses showing a wide 1.55μm emission band are reported in a novel heavy metal oxyfluoride glass system SiO_2－PbO－PbF_2 and their optical properties such as emission spectra, fluorescence lifetime and the refractive index have been investigated. The broad and flat {}^4I_{13/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} emission of Er^{3+} ions around 1.55μm can be used as host materials for potential optical amplifiers in wavelength-division-multiplexing network system. We find that with increasing PbF_2 content in the glass composition, the fluorescence full width at half maximum and fluorescence lifetime of the {}^4I_{13/2} level of Er^{3+} increase, while refractive index and density decrease.     

Evaluation of Spectroscopic Properties of Yb^3＋ in Silicate—Based Heavy Metal Oxide Glasses

The absorption,stimulated emission cross section and potential laser parameters of heavy metal silicate glasses doped with Yb^3 ions have been investigated.The emission cross section has been evaluated by using the measured absoprtion spectra and principle of reciprocity.It is found that Yb^3 in SiO2-Bi2O3-B2O3 glass has high stimulated emission cross section of 0.09pm^2 for the 2F5/1→2F7/2 transition and exists short measured fluorescence lifetime of 0.78ms.On the other hand,the stimulated emission cross section of Yb^3 -doped SiO2-PbO glass was 0.49pm^2,Its measured fluorescence lifetime was 2.00ms.Evaluated from the good potential laser parameters,Yb^3 -doped SiO2-PbO glass may be a good candidate for fibre laser applications.     

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

Using the technique of high-temperature melting, a new Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped fluorophosphate glass was prepared. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in depth. The effect of Er 3+ and Yb 3+ 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 4 I 13/2 level (τ m ) of Er 3+ ions was 8.23 ms, and the full width at half maximum of the dominating emission peak was 68 nm at 1.53 μm. The large stimulated emission cross section of the Er 3+ was calculated by the McCumber theory. The spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ 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.     

Optimum fluorescence emission around 1.8 μm for LiYF4 single crystals of various Tm3＋-doping concentrations

In this paper, optical spectra of LiYF4 single crystals doped with Tm3＋ ions of various concentrations are reported. The emission intensity at 1.8 ktm first increases with increasing Tm3＋ concentration, and reaches a maximum value when the concentration of Tm3＋ is about 1.28 mol%, then it decreases rapidly as the concentration of Tm3＋ further increases to 3.49 mol%. The emission lifetime at 1.8 p.m also shows a similar tendency to the emission intensity. The maximum lifetime of 1.8 μm is measured to be 17.68 ms for the sample doped with Tm3＋ of 1.28 mol%. The emission cross section of 3F4 level is calculated. The maximum reaches 3.76 × 10 -21 cm2 at 1909 nm. The cross relaxation （3H6, 3H4 →3 F4, 3F4） between Tm3＋ ions and the concentration quenching effect are mainly attributed to the change of emission with Tm3＋ concentration. The largest quantum efficiency between Tm3＋ ions is estimated to be ,-147% from the measured lifetime and calculated radiative lifetime. All the results suggest that the Tm3＋/LiYF4 single crystal may have potential applications in 2 μm mid-infrared lasers.     

Mechanisms and Concentration Dependence of Upconversion Fluorescence in Er^3＋ and Tm^3＋ Codoped Tellurite Glasses

We investigate the upconversion luminescence of Er3^ and Tm^3 codoped tellurite glasses under both the 975 and 80Ohm excitations. By Tm^3 codoping, the Er^3 green emission corresponding to the (^4S3/2, 2H11/2) → 4I15/2 transitions was quenched, while the red emission corresponding to the ^4F9/2 → ^4I15/2 transition was selectively sensitized. The red emission has a maximum in the range where the ratio of Er^3 - to Tm^3 -content is about two and its fluorescence intensity becomes 1.5 and 5 times larger at the maximum than those in the absence of Tm^3 for 975 and 800 nm excitations, respectively. The results were explained considering the influence of energy transfers between these two active ions.