Characterization of Amplified Spontaneous Emission from Er^3＋-Doped Tellurite Fibre

We present the characterization of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from newly fabricated Er^3 -doped tellurite fibres.When pumped at 98Ohm,a very broad erbium ASE in the range 1450-1650nm is observed.The changes of ASE with regard to fibre lengths and pumping power were measured.The output of 2mW from an Er^3 -doped tellurite fibre ASE source is obtained with the pump power of 540mW.     

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.     

Optical transitions in Er^3＋ doped lead germanate glasses

Er^{3+}- and Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+}-doped lead germanate glasses that are suitable for use in fibre lasers and optical amplifiers as well as optical waveguide devices have been fabricated and characterized. The absorption spectra from near-infrared to visible were obtained and the Judd－Ofelt parameters were determined from the absorption band. Intense and broad 1.53μm infrared fluorescence and visible upconversion luminescence were observed under 976 nm diode laser excitation. For 1.53μm emission band, the full widths at half-maximum are 36, 37, 51 nm for GPE, GPYE and GPFE samples, respectively. For frequency upconversion emission, the intense bands centred at around 524, 545, 657nm are due to the {}^4S_{3/2}+{}^2H_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} and {}^4F_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} transitions of Er^{3+} ions. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that the two-photon absorption process occurs under the 976nm excitation.     

Preparation and spectral characterization of new Er3+-doped TeO2－B2O3－WO3－ZnO－ZnS glasses

Erbium-doped TeO_2-based oxysulfide glasses have been prepared in argon atmosphere in graphite crucibles. The results of thermal analysis and spectroscopic properties of Er^{3+} have been studied in terms of sulfide influence. As a function of composition, we have measured principally the optical absorption, spontaneous emission, and lifetime of the materials. Judd－Ofelt theory was introduced to calculate bandwidth and emission cross-section of Er^{3+}. The results demonstrate that addition of sulfide in tellurite glasses results in broad emission spectra, with high emission cross-section, slightly low emission lifetime and a comparatively high thermal stability as pure oxide glasses.     

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 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.     

Infrared-to-green upconversion luminescence and mechanism of Ho3+, Nd3+ and Yb3+ ions in oxyfluoride glass ceramics

New oxyfluoride glasses and glass ceramics co-doped with Nd^{3+}, Yb^{3+} and Ho^{3+} were prepared. The upconversion of infrared radiation into green fluorescence has been studied for Nd^{3+}, Yb^{3+} and Ho^{3+} in the transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics. At room temperature very strong green upconversion luminescence due to the Ho^{3+}: ({}^5F_4, {}^5S_2)→{}^5I_8 transition under 800 nm excitation was observed in the glass ceramics. The intensity of the green upconversion luminescence in a 1mol% YbF_3-containing glass ceramic was found to be about 120 times stronger than that in the precursor oxyfluoride glass. The reason for the highly efficient Ho^{3+} upconversion luminescence in the oxyfluoride glass ceramics is discussed. The upconversion mechanism is also investigated.     

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.     

Composition Dependence of Spectroscopic Properties of Er^3＋ Doped TeO2-WO3-ZnO Glasses

Er^3 -doped TeO2-WO3-ZnO glasses were prepared and the absorption spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes were measured. With more Te02 content in the glasses, the emission full width at half maximum (FWHM) increases while the lifetime of the ^4I13/2 level of Er^3 decreases. The stimulated emission cross-sectionof Er^3 calculated by the McCumber theory is as large as 0.86pm^2. The product of the FWHM and the emissioncross-section σe of Er^3 in TeO2-WO3-ZnO glass is larger than those in other glasses, which indicates that the glasses are promising candidates for Er^3 -doped broadband amplifiers. The Judd-Otfelt parameter Ω6 shows close composition dependence of the 1.5μm emission bandwidth. The more the TeO2 content is, the larger thevalues of Ω6 and FWHM.     

Gain Characteristics of Er^3＋-Doped Phosphate Glass Fibres

An erbium-doped phosphate glass fibre has been drawn by the rod-in-tube technique in our laboratory. The gain for the Er^3＋-doped phosphate glass fibre with different pump powers and with different input signal wavelengths is investigated. The 2.2-cm-long fibre, pumped by a single-mode 980-nm fibre-pigtailed laser diode, can provide a net gain per unit length greater than 1.SdB/cm. The pump threshold is about 50mW at the wavelength of 1534nm, and below 70roW at 1550nm. The gain linewidth of the Er^3＋-doped phosphate glass fibre is greater than 34 nm and can cover the C band in optical communication networks.     

Analysis of the laser performance of Tm3+, Tb3+(Ho3+):YVO4 crystals at ～1.5μm wavelength

The absorption spectra of Tb,Tm:YVO_4 and Ho,Tm:YVO_4 are measured. The radiant and non-radiant transition probabilities from higher level to lower level, A_{i,j} and ω_{i,j}, and the cross-elaxation probability are calculated in virtue of Judd－Ofelt and Dexter theories. The fluorescence lifetime of Tm^{3+} in the Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) co-doped crystal is calculated. It indicates that the lifetime of initial level {}^3H_4 of the laser transition can be shorter than that of terminal level {}^3F_4 of the transition if the atomic percentage of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions is bigger than about 1 at%: namely, by means of the co-doping Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions the self-termination phenomenon of laser light can be eliminated. Inserting the optic parameters to the formula deduced here on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} and the slope efficiency η^{(4)}_s of the four-energy-level system, we obtain the relationship of threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} to the concentration of Tm^{3+} ions and discuss the effect of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ion concentration on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} around 1.5μm wavelength. The result shows that Tb,Tm:YVO_4 crystal is a better choice to make the laser at ～1.5μm wavelength than Ho,Tm:YVO_4 crystal. We give the appropriate composition of (1－2) at% Tb, (1－2) at% Tm:YVO_4, just for reference.     

The mechanism research of the Cr^4＋Nd^3＋：YAG laser

The 946nm diode-pump microchip self-Q-switched laser of a chromium and neodymium codoped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal material (Cr^{4+}Nd^{3+}:YAG) is studied, especially about its physical mechanism of operation. The {}^4F_{3/2}→{}^4I_{9/2} transition of Nd^{3+} ion is beneficial to achieving laser oscillation in a quasi-three-level system based on coating the cavity mirrors of the microchip with films that suppress the 1064nm operation and enhance the 946nm laser. The Cr^{4+} ion is a saturable absorber. The initial loss N_{t1} is high, which acts as the threshold for laser oscillation. The stable loss N_{t2} is low because the Cr^{4+} ion is acceleratively bleached by the fast enhancement of the oscillating laser. The high N_{t1}, small N_{t2} and fast progresses permit the oscillating laser of the Cr^{4+}Nd^{3+}:YAG to have a good self-Q-switched property whose full width at half maximum is about 4.2ns. Its highest laser power is about 5.7mW. Its peak power is about 150W. Its good fundamental transverse TEM_{00} mode results from the absorption bleaching established by both the pump and oscillating lasers, which suppress other transverse mode and allow the oscillation only in the fundamental transverse TEM_{00} mode.     

Green and red up-conversion emissions and thermometric application of Er^3＋-doped silicate glass

The green and red up-conversion emissions centred at about 534, 549 and 663 nm of wavelength, corresponding respectively to the ^2H11/2 → ^4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → ^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2 → ^4I15/2 transitions of Er^3＋ ions, have been observed for the Er^3＋-doped silicate glass excited by a 978 nm semiconductor laser beam. Excitation power dependent behaviour of the up-conversion emission intensity indicates that a two-photon absorption up-conversion process is responsible for the green and red up-conversion emissions. The temperature dependence of the green up-conversion emissions is also studied in a temperature range of 296-673 K, which shows that Er^3＋-doped silicate glass can be used as a sensor in high-temperature measurement.     

Green and red up-conversion emissions and thermometric application of Er3+-doped silicate glass

The green and red up-conversion emissions centred at about 534, 549 and 663\,nm of wavelength, corresponding respectively to the ${^{2}}H_{11 / 2} \to {^{4}}I_{15 / 2}$, ${^{4}}S_{3 / 2} \to {^{4}}I_{15 / 2}$ and ${^{4}}F_{9 / 2} \to {^{4}}I_{15 / 2}$ transitions of Er$^{3 + }$ ions, have been observed for the Er$^{3 + }$-doped silicate glass excited by a 978\,nm semiconductor laser beam. Excitation power dependent behaviour of the up-conversion emission intensity indicates that a two-photon absorption up-conversion process is responsible for the green and red up-conversion emissions. The temperature dependence of the green up-conversion emissions is also studied in a temperature range of 296--673\,K, which shows that Er$^{3 + }$-doped silicate glass can be used as a sensor in high-temperature measurement.     

Effect of B2O3 on Judd—Ofelt parameters of Er^3＋—doped tellurite glasses

We have prepared Er^3 -doped borotellurite glasses using conventional melting and quenching method.The absorption spectrum analysis is performed on the basis of Judd-Ofelt theory.The effects of B2O3 on the spectroscopic parameters such as intersity parameters,line strengths of electric-dipole transitions,and sopontaneous emission probability are discussed.