Yb-doped yttria–alumino–silicate nano-particles based optical fibers: Fabrication and characterization

An efficient method to fabricate transparent glass ceramic fibers containing in-situ grown Yb³⁺ doped oxide nano-particles based on yttria–alumino–silicate glass is presented. These large-mode area Yb³⁺ doped fibers having a core diameter around 25.0 μm were drawn by a proper control over the involved process parameters; by this, the size of nano-particles was maintained within 5–10 nm. The main spectroscopic and laser properties of the fabricated fibers along with the nano-structuration results are reported. These results reveal that the developed method offers new scopes for the contemporary Yb³⁺ fiber based devices.     

掺镱石英光纤预制棒的制备与表征

采用改进化学汽相沉积结合溶液掺杂法制备了掺镱石英光纤预制棒,并研究了不同镱掺杂浓度下的吸收光谱和发光光谱.吸收光谱和发光光谱的强度随着YbCl₃溶液浓度的增大而增强.在不产生失透的前提下,得到预制棒芯层能够掺杂的YbCl₃溶液最大浓度为0.057 mol/L.     

从头计算法计算Yb3+掺杂钽酸盐的晶体场参数和能级结构

介绍了一种基于从头计算的DV-Xα方法和有效哈密顿量模型,它可以计算晶体中掺杂离子的晶体场参数和旋轨耦合参数,尤其适合计算低对称性的晶体.对于低对称性的晶体,参数的数目比能级的数目多,因此通过实验能级拟合确定所有的参数不太准确,而从头计算法可以准确地确定所有的晶体场参数和旋轨耦合参数.首先用这种模型计算了Yb3+掺杂GdTaO4晶体中的晶体场参数和旋轨耦合参数,然后给出了Yb3+在GdTaO4中的能级结构,并分析了Yb3+:GdTaO4的发射谱形成一个连续的发射带.这有利于激光的调谐和锁模激光输出,预言了Yb3+:GdTaO4有望成为新型全固态超短脉冲激光工作物质.同样用这种模型分别计算了Yb3+掺杂YTaO4和ScTaO4中的晶体场参数和旋轨耦合参数,并给出了Yb3+在YTaO4和ScTaO4中的能级结构,得到了与Yb3+:GdTaO4晶体类似的结论.     

Optical properties of Ho-doped novel oxyfluoride glasses

Novel oxyfluoride glasses SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Na₂O-ZnF₂ doped with Ho³⁺ and Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ were fabricated. The optical properties of the synthesized glasses were experimentally and theoretically investigated in detail. The experimental and calculated oscillator strengths of Ho³⁺ were determined by measurement of absorption spectrum of Ho³⁺-singly doped glass. According to the Judd-Ofelt theory, the Judd-Ofelt parameters were calculated, by which the radiative transition probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes were obtained. Visible upconversion luminescence was observed under 980 nm diode laser excitation and the influence of Yb³⁺ concentration on the emission bands were also investigated. The dependence of the upconversion emission intensity upon the excitation power was examined, and the upconversion mechanisms were discussed.     

Yb:YAG晶体的晶胞参量及Yb3+分凝系数的研究

应用提拉法生长出不同Yb³⁺浓度的Yb_3xY_3(1-x)Al₅O₁₂晶体.Yb³⁺离子的分凝系数1是1.08±0.01,与Yb³⁺离子掺杂浓度无关.研究了Yb_3xY_3(1-x)Al₅O₁₂晶体的晶胞参量,推导出联系晶胞参量、密度与Yb³⁺离子掺杂浓度的关系方程式.     

Effect of ytterbium concentration on cw Yb:YAG microchip laser performance at ambient temperature – Part I: Experiments

The microchip laser performance of Yb:YAG crystals doped with different ytterbium concentrations (C_Yb=10, 15, and 20 at. %) has been investigated at ambient temperature without active cooling of the gain media. Efficient laser oscillation for a 1-mm-thick YAG doped with 10 at. % Yb³⁺ ions was achieved at 1030 and 1049 nm with slope efficiencies of 85% and 81%, correspondingly. The laser performance of heavy-doped Yb:YAG crystals was limited by the thermal population at terminated lasing level and thermal lens effect at room temperature without sufficient cooling of the samples. The laser emitting spectra of Yb:YAG microchip lasers with different Yb concentrations and output couplings are addressed with the local temperature rise, due to the absorption of the pump power inside the gain media under different pump levels. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.70.Hj; 42.55.Rz     

Abnormal upconversion luminescence from Yb3+ doped and Tb3+/Yb3+ codoped high silica glasses induced by intrinsic optical bistability

Upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties from Yb³⁺ doped and Tb³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped high silica glasses excited by a 980 nm laser diode are investigated. The ln–ln plots of the UCL intensity versus laser power show abnormal relations: the slopes are larger than those reported in other papers. When tuning the laser power up and down successively, intrinsic optical bistability of Yb³⁺ ions is observed at room temperature in the visible and infrared range without external cavity. And this nonlinear effect induces the abnormal UCL phenomena.     

利用光谱滤波器实现自启动的全光纤超短脉冲掺Yb3+光纤激光器

讨论了利用光谱滤波器实现自启动的被动锁模掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器的锁模机理,并研制出全光纤结构超短脉冲掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器.使用980 nm二极管激光器作为抽运源,高掺杂浓度掺Yb³⁺光纤作为增益介质.在净群速度色散为正的环形腔中加入光谱滤波器,抑制Yb³⁺离子在1030 nm强发射峰的同时,通过对啁啾脉冲的光谱滤波实现脉冲压缩.光谱滤波器与光纤非线性偏振旋转效应相结合,实现了激光器在1053 nm可自启动、十分稳定的锁模运转.激光器锁模阈值功率300 mW,平均斜率效率18.3%,最大输出功率53.07 mW,对应最大输出脉冲能量3.2 nJ.锁模光脉冲中心波长1053.6 nm,3 dB带宽10.84 nm,重复频率16.45 MHz.锁模脉冲宽度为皮秒量级,经腔外光栅对压缩至188 fs. 关键词： 3+光纤激光器')" href="#">掺Yb³⁺光纤激光器 自启动锁模 全光纤     

First-principles study of the local structure and crystal field of Yb2+ in sodium and potassium halides

The local coordination structures around the doping Yb²⁺ ions in sodium and potassium halides were calculated by using the first-principles supercell model. Both the cases with and without the charge compensation vacancy in the local environment of the doping Yb²⁺ were calculated to study the effect of the doping on the local coordination structures of Yb²⁺. Using the calculated local structures, we obtained the crystal-field parameters for the Yb²⁺ ions doped in sodium and potassium halides by a method based on the combination of the quantum-chemical calculations and the effective Hamiltonian method. The calculated crystal-field parameters were analyzed and compared with the fitted results.     

Tm3+/Yb3+共掺碲酸盐玻璃的近红外发光及能量传递机理

采用高温熔融法制备了组分为TeO₂-ZnO-Na₂O的Tm³⁺离子单掺和Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺碲酸盐玻璃,应用Judd-Ofelt理论计算分析了玻璃样品的强度参量Ω_t(t=2, 4, 6),自发辐射跃迁几率A,荧光分支比β和荧光辐射寿命τ_rad等光谱参量,测量得到了不同Yb³⁺离子掺杂浓度下玻璃样品的Tm³⁺离子上转换发光谱.结果显示,在980 nm泵浦光激励下玻璃样品发射出强烈的近红外上转换荧光.对Tm³⁺离子上转换发光分析表明,强烈的Tm³⁺离子近红外上转换发光主要来自于Yb³⁺/Yb³⁺离子间的共振能量传递以及基于单声子和双声子辅助的Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺离子间的非共振能量传递过程,并进一步计算得到了声子贡献比和能量传递系数.最后,计算分析了Tm³⁺:³F₄→³H₆能级间跃迁的1.8 μm波段吸收截面、受激发射截面和增益系数.研究表明,Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺共掺TeO₂-ZnO-Na₂O玻璃可以作为近红外波段固体激光器的潜在增益基质.     

Luminescence of transparent glass ceramics containing Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> zirconate-titanate nanocrystals

Luminescence regularities have been studied in new erbium/ytterbium materials based on glasses and glass ceramics of a magnesium-aluminosilicate system containing nanoscale erbium/ytterbium zirconate titanate crystals with the pyrochlore structure. Lifetimes of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in the ² F_5/2 state and in the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states, respectively, and the efficiency of Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ energy transfer have been evaluated. The identified spectral-luminescent characteristics of the studied glasses and glass ceramics co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions show that these materials are promising media for producing laser generation in the spectral range around 1.5 μm.     

Comparisons of multi-wavelength oscillations using Sagnac loop mirror and Mach-Zehnder interferometer for ytterbium doped fiber lasers

A multiwavelength Ytterbium-doped fiber ring laser operating at 1030 nm region is demonstrated using a Sagnac loop mirror and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. We report the Performance comparisons of multi-wavelength oscillations in Yb³⁺ doped fiber lasers (YDFL) with typical commercial ytterbium doped silica fibers. By adjusting the polarization controller (PC), a widely tunable laser range of 22 nm from 1030 nm to 1050 nm is obtained. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) design has exhibited simplicity in the operation for controlling the smallest wavelength spacing compared to Sagnac loop mirror method. In our observations, the smallest achieved stable wavelength spacing in Sagnac loop mirror setup and MZI setup were 2.1 nm and 0.7 nm, respectively. In case of nine-wavelength operation with a MZI setup, the stability, Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) and side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of laser lines are not affected by increasing pump power, While for above four wavelength operation, the laser stability with Sagnac loop mirror becomes worse specially for higher input pump power and the power fluctuation among the wave-lengths would be also slightly larger.     

Cooperative emission study in ytterbium doped NdVO4

The infrared and visible cooperative emissions of ytterbium ions are studied in Yb-doped NdVO₄ single crystals. The absorption of optical phonons allows the emissions at room temperature when a Nd:YAG laser is used. Low temperature emissions are observed due to the Nd³⁺→Yb³⁺ energy transfer following an argon ion laser excitation of the Nd³⁺ ions. Analysis of the cooperative emission at low doping concentration (1%) indicates that it is generated by distant pair forming Yb³⁺ ions while at high doping concentration (≥ 5%) close ions magnetically coupled and superexchange mechanisms prevail in the emitting process.     

Strong cooperative upconversion luminescence of ytterbium doped oxyfluoride nanophase vitroceramics

The strong 479.1 nm blue cooperative upconversion luminescence of ytterbium Yb³⁺ ion doped oxyfluoride nanophase vitroceramics (Yb:FOV) is studied in this article. It is found that the 479.1 nm blue cooperative upconversion luminescence strength of Yb(5):FOV is 230 times greater than that of fluoride glass Yb(3):ZBLAN. The large enhancement on cooperative upconversion blue luminescence of this article results from the comprehensive improvement on the aspects of better coupled chance of the Yb³⁺-Yb³⁺ cluster, less cross-relaxation, better concentration contribution of Yb³⁺ activator, non-saturation, and better upconversion luminescence efficiency.     

Optical and EPR study of BaY2F8 single crystals doped with Yb

Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance study have been carried out on BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb ions at 0.5 and 10 mol%. The crystals have been obtained using the Czochralski method modified for fluoride crystal growth. Optical transmission measurements in the range of 190-3200 nm and photoluminescence measurements were carried out at room temperature. Absorption spectra of BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb due to the ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 transitions have been observed in the 930-980 nm range. To analyze the possible presence of Yb²⁺ ions in the investigated crystals, irradiation with γ-quanta with a dose of 10⁵ Gy have been performed. The observed photoluminescence bands show usual emission in IR and other one in VIS, being an effect of cooperative emission of Yb³⁺ ions and energy up-conversion transitions of photons from IR to UV-vis(visible) due to hoping process between energy levels of paired Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺, where Er³⁺ ions are unintentional dopants. The EPR spectra of BaY₂F₈:Yb 10 mol% consist of many overlapping lines. They have been analyzed in terms of spin monomers, pairs, and clusters. The angular dependence of the resonance lines positions have been studied also to find the location of coupled ytterbium ions in the crystal structure.     

Yb3+掺杂四磷酸盐玻璃光谱研究

制备了Yb³⁺掺杂四磷酸盐玻璃,以实测的吸收光谱及荧光光谱计算了Yb³⁺在四磷酸盐玻璃中各光谱性能参数和激光性能参数,以荧光捕获效应讨论了倒易法和Fuchtbaucr-Ladenbury公式之间的计算差异.此外,还进一步讨论了Yb³⁺在四磷酸盐玻璃中各性能参数的浓度效应以及OH基对Yb³⁺发光的影响.研究表明Yb³⁺掺杂四磷酸盐玻璃具有相当优良的光谱和激光性能参数. 关键词： 3+掺杂')" href="#">Yb³⁺掺杂 四磷酸盐玻璃 光谱性质     

Up and down conversion fluorescence studies on combustion synthesized Yb/Yb: MO-Al2O3 (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) phosphors

The ytterbium ions doped MO-Al₂O₃ (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) phosphors have been synthesized through combustion technique and their up and down conversion fluorescence properties have been studied and compared. The samples were calcinated at different temperatures and their FTIR and XRD spectra have shown a close relationship. With 976 nm excitation all these phosphors show cooperative upconversion emission at 488 nm from the pairs of two Yb³⁺ ions along with an unexpected broad upconversion band in the blue green region and has been assigned to arise from the defect centers. Contrary to this upconversion emission, calcium aluminate phosphor exhibits bright and very broad down-conversion fluorescence (FWHM≈160 nm) upon UV (266 nm) excitation due to Yb²⁺ ions. The inter-conversion between the 3+ and 2+ valence states of Yb ion has been observed on calcinations of samples in open atmosphere and has been correlated to the emission properties. The Yb²⁺ ions containing calcium aluminate phosphor has been found suitable for producing broad band light in the visible region (white light). Lifetime of the emitting states of Yb³⁺ and Yb²⁺ ions have also been measured and discussed.     

Synthesis of NaYF4 nanocrystals doped with Yb/Er and influence of citric acid on the green and red luminescence

In this paper, NaYF₄ nanocrystals doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ were synthesized in a medium containing polyethylene glycol and citric acid. This nanocrystal presents up-converting green and red emission bands which were simultaneously observed under the excitation of a 980 infrared diode laser. Mainly, the green to red ratio (GRR) of the up-conversion emission of the hexagonal NaYF₄ nanocrystals doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ can be finely tuned by changing the content of citric acid to be nearly an arithmetic progression, i.e. 6/4, 5/4, 4/4, and 3/4. The further analysis revealed that citric acid plays a key role in improving the surface crystallinity of NaYF₄ nanocrystals doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺, to which the achievement of fine controlling on GRR is ascribed.     

Dimer self-organization of impurity ytterbium ions in synthetic forsterite single crystals

Paramagnetic centers formed by impurity Yb³⁺ ions in synthetic forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) grown by the Czochralski technique are studied by X-band CW and pulsed EPR spectroscopy. These centers are single ions substituting magnesium in two different crystallographic positions denoted М1 and М2, and dimer associates formed by two Yb³⁺ ions in nearby positions М1. It is established that there is a pronounced mechanism favoring self-organization of ytterbium ions in dimer associates during the crystal growth, and the mechanism of the spin–spin coupling between ytterbium ions in the associate has predominantly a dipole–dipole character, which makes it possible to control the energy of the spin–spin interaction by changing the orientation of the external magnetic field. The structural computer simulation of cluster ytterbium centers in forsterite crystals is carried out by the method of interatomic potentials using the GULP 4.0.1 code (General Utility Lattice Program). It is established that the formation of dimer associates in the form of a chain parallel to the crystallographic axis consisting of two ytterbium ions with a magnesium vacancy between them is the most energetically favorable for ytterbium ions substituting magnesium in the position М1.