Comparative investigation on spectroscopic properties of Er between Ce-doped and B2O3-added bismuth glasses

The comparative investigation on the spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺ in low phonon energy Bi₂O₃-GeO₂-Ga₂O₃-Na₂O glasses codoped with Ce³⁺ ion and added with B₂O₃ component, respectively, is presented. With increasing Ce₂O₃ content from 0 to 0.8 mol% or B₂O₃ content from 0 to 15 mol%, the lifetime of Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2 level decreases dramatically from 607 to 283 μs or to 197 μs, and the upconversion fluorescence is quenched in both glass samples. The nonradiative energy transfer from Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2→Ce³⁺:²F_5/2 or the enhanced multiphonon relaxation process together with the energy transfer between Er³⁺ and OH⁻ groups are, respectively, responsible for the results. Meanwhile, the lifetime of ⁴I_13/2 level remains almost unchanged in Er³⁺/Ce³⁺-codoped glasses whereas it decreases rapidly in B₂O₃-added cases. As a result, Er³⁺/Ce³⁺ codoping improves the 1.5 μm fluorescence emission intensity, however, B₂O₃ addition has a negative effect on it. The research results indicate that the Er³⁺/Ce³⁺-codoped bismuth glasses will be preferable for obtaining efficient 980 nm pumped EDFA.