Fluorescence studies of the Er ↔ Ho and Er ↔ Tm energy transfer in erbium aluminum garnet

We have studied the flourescence characteristics of Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ in ErAlG:Ho, Tm and investigated the Er ? Ho and Er ? Tm energy transfer present in this system. In the infrared, the crystal ErAlG:Ho, Tm presents three groups of sharp lines (centered at ～18 000, ～19 300, and ～21 000 Å), whose intensities are strongly temperature-dependent. The first two groups are attributable to the Tm ³H₄ → ³H₆ transition, while the third group represents the Ho ⁵I₇ → ⁵I₈ transition. In YAlG:Er (50%), Ho(2%), only the Ho emission centered at ～21 000 Å is observed in the infrared. Under pulsed excitation, the emissions at ～17 900, ～19 000, and ～21 000 Å in ErAlG:Ho, Tm present a double exponential decay; the time dependences of the decays of the first two emissions are essentially the same; however, the 19 000 and 21 000 Å emissions present different decay patterns. In YAlG:Er (50%), Ho (2%), on the other hand, the decay of the 21 000 Å emission is purely exponential at all temperatures studied. The above results for ErAlG:Ho, Tm are explained by means of a rate-equation model in which the Ho → Er and Tm → Er transfer are treated as activation-type processes which effect a coupling between (1) the Ho and Tm ions, and (2) the Ho or Tm ions and quenching impurities.     

Growth, polarized spectral properties, and 1.5–1.6 μm laser operation of Er:Yb:Sr3Gd2(BO3)4 crystal

An Er:Yb:Sr₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized spectral properties of the crystal were investigated, including the polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay. The fluorescence quantum efficiency of the upper laser level ⁴I_13/2 of Er³⁺ ions and the efficiency of the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ ions were calculated. End-pumped by a diode laser at 970 nm in a hemispherical cavity, a 1.6 W quasi-cw laser at 1.5–1.6 μm with a slope efficiency of 18% and an absorbed pump threshold of 5.9 W was achieved in a 1.8-mm-thick Z-cut Er:Yb:Sr₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal. This crystal has a flat and broad gain curve at 1.5–1.6 μm and so is also a potential gain medium for tunable and short pulse lasers.     

Yb3+,Er3+:YAG透明陶瓷的制备和1.5 μm波段光谱性能研究

采用固相法和真空烧结技术制备了5at%Yb³⁺,2at％Er³⁺:YAG透明陶瓷.在1760 ℃真空烧结30 h后, 陶瓷样品具有较高透过率.SEM观察表明制备的透明陶瓷在晶粒和晶界处无气孔、第二相的存在.样品的吸收光谱和荧光光谱的测试结果表明: Yb³⁺在940nm波长处有具有较强的吸收系数.样品在1030nm波长的荧光寿命仅为0.274 ms,以及在1.5μm波段的荧光衰减寿命曲线中,初始的荧光强度呈上升趋势,这些表明了Yb,Er:YA 关键词： Er Yb:YAG透明陶瓷 1.5 μm荧光光谱 Judd-Ofelt理论     

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.     

Er,Yb:YAG微晶玻璃发光特性的研究

高温熔制Er³⁺，Yb³⁺离子掺杂CaO-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系统玻璃，并进行微晶化处理，研究了微晶玻璃中Er³⁺离子的发光及上转换发光特性，分析了微晶玻璃上转换发光机理.结果表明：原始玻璃经热处理得到了Er,Yb:YAG微晶玻璃，微晶玻璃中Er³⁺离子在室温下⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2跃迁产生横盖1450—1650nm区间的超宽带荧光，荧光半高宽达180nm，这可能由于YAG微晶相中Er³⁺离子与玻璃相中残留Er³⁺离子的共同发光；Er³⁺与Yb³⁺离子局域基质声子能量的降低使微晶玻璃Er³⁺离子上转换发光强度与原始玻璃相比显著提高，绿光、红光上转换荧光强度比玻璃样品分别增强约7和3倍；微晶化后Er³⁺，Yb³⁺离子局域环境发生变化也导致微晶玻璃中Er³⁺离子绿光、红光上转换发光相对强度发生变化. 关键词： 铒 镱:钇铝石榴石 微晶玻璃 荧光光谱     

Visible upconversion emission and non-radiative direct Yb to Er energy transfer processes in nanocrystalline ZrO2:Yb,Er

Wide band gap Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped ZrO₂ nanocrystals have been synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. Under 967 nm excitation strong green and red upconversion emission is observed for several Er³⁺ to Yb³⁺ ions concentration ratios. A simple microscopic rate equation model is used to study the effects of non-radiative direct Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ energy transfer processes on the visible and near infrared fluorescence decay trends of both Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions. The microscopic rate equation model takes into account the crystalline phase as well as the size of nanocrystals. Nanocrystals phase and size were estimated from XRD patterns. The rate equation model succeeds to fit simultaneously all visible and near infrared fluorescence decay profiles. The dipole-dipole interaction parameters that drive the non-radiative energy transfer processes depend on doping concentration due to crystallite phase changes. In addition the non-radiative relaxation rate (⁴I_11/2→⁴I_13/2) is found to be greater than that estimated by the Judd-Ofelt parameters due to the action of surface impurities. Results suggest that non-radiative direct Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ energy transfer processes in ZrO₂:Yb,Er are extremely efficient.     

Up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> codoped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles by the arc discharge synthesis method

The Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm have been synthesized by an arc discharge synthesis method. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 526, 547 and 677 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The Annealing has evident effect on the up-conversion emissions of the samples: The red up-conversion emission is noticeable before annealing; however, the green up-conversion emission becomes predominant after annealing. The mixture of (Er,Yb)₃Al₅O₁₂ and α-(Al,Er,Yb)₂O₃ phases is more favorable for green up-conversion emissions due to an enhancement of the ESA (I) of ⁴I_11/2+a photon→⁴F_7/2 and ET (III) of ²F_5/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴I_11/2(Er³⁺)→²F_7/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴F_7/2(Er³⁺) processes. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process is involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions. The results have proved that arc discharge synthesis is a new promising preparation technology for optical materials. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10804015), the Scientific Research Foundation for Doctor of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 20071095), and the Educational Committee Foundation of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 2008123)     

Crystalline-structure-dependent green and red upconversion emissions of Er-Yb-Li codoped TiO2

Crystalline structures and infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence spectra have been investigated in 1 mol% Er³⁺, 10 mol% Yb³⁺ and 0-20 mol% Li⁺ codoped TiO₂ [1Er10Yb(0-20)Li:TiO₂] nanocrystals. The crystalline structures of 1Er10Yb(0-20)Li:TiO₂ were divided into three parts by the addition of Yb³⁺ and Li⁺. Both green and red upconversion emissions were observed from the ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ in Er³⁺-Yb³⁺-Li⁺ codoped TiO₂, respectively. The green and red upconversion emissions of 1Er:TiO₂ were enhanced significantly by Yb³⁺ and Li⁺ codoping, in which the intensities of green and red emissions and the intensity ratio of green to red emissions (I_green/I_red) were highly dependent on the crystalline structures. The significant enhanced upconversion emissions resulted from the energy migration between Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ as well as the distortion of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺ caused by the dissolving of Li⁺ at lower Li⁺ codoping concentration and the phase transformation at higher Li⁺ concentration. It is concluded that codoping with ions of smaller ionic radius like Li⁺ can efficiently improve the upconversion emissions of Er³⁺ or other rare-earth ions doped luminsecence materials.     

Spectral properties and energy transfer of Yb,Er:GdVO4 crystal

GdVO₄ single crystal co-doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ was grown by the Czochralski method. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of Yb,Er:GdVO₄ crystal confirms that the as-grown crystal is isostructural with pure GdVO₄ crystal. Its polarized absorption spectra and non-polarized fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. The absorption band at 984 nm for π-polarization has an FWHM of about 36 nm, which is favorable for InGaAs LD laser pumping. The spectrum properties of Er³⁺ in Yb,Er:GdVO₄ crystal were investigated based on Judd–Ofelt theory. There is strong energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ in this crystal. When excited with 980 nm radiation, this crystal emitted strong fluorescence at about 1529 nm and 552.5 nm. The total energy transfer rate and efficiency from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ is 3.33 ms^-1 and 67%, respectively. The energy transfer between Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions is a multistep transfer process, and was investigated based on a random-walk model. The investigation result shows that there is strong cooperative-sensitization effect from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺, which is the main upconversion energy-transfer process in this crystal. PACS 42.70.Hj; 81.10.Fq; 42.55.Rz     

Visible luminescence of nanocrystalline AlN:Er thin film by co-deposition of AlN,Er, and SiO2

We report a visible luminescence of Er³⁺ ions in an amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er thin film prepared by co-deposition using AlN, Er, and SiO₂ targets. A PL emission spectrum of Er³⁺ in the AlN:Er film annealed at 750 °C showed a strong bluish green emission of Er³⁺ in the amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er thin film, which is attributed to the intra-4fEr³⁺ transitions of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2. It was found that crystallite diameters were between 3 and 5 nm by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The occurrence of the strong Er³⁺ emission in the annealed AlN:Er thin film with a mixture of amorphous and nanocrystalline phases may be contributed to an increase in the number of excitation Er³⁺ centers and a presence of oxygen related to Er³⁺ excitation and recombination process in the AlN:Er thin film.     

The influence of Zn2+ ion on the 1.5 μm laser properties of LiNbO3 crystal heavily doped with Er3+ ion

The spectral characteristics of 1.54 μm emission in a series of Zn/Er:LiNbO₃ crystals with heavy Er content and variable Zn content were reported. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of Er³⁺ ion in the crystal. The absorption and emission spectra of Zn/Er:LiNbO₃ crystals were measured. Based on Judd–Ofelt theory, the spectral parameters such as intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2, 4 and 6), transition strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime and fluorescence branching ratio have been obtained in Zn/Er:LiNbO₃ system. The emission cross section corresponding to ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ ion was obtained according to Füchtbauer–Ladenburg theory. The gain cross section of Er:LiNbO₃ crystal codoped with 6 mol% Zn²⁺ ions were also discussed in this work.     

Excited state absorption,energy levels,and thermal conductivity of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAB

Polarized excited state absorption spectra of Er, Yb:YAB are reported. The Stark levels of the ⁴I_15/2, ⁴I_13/2, and ⁴I_11/2 multiplets of Er³⁺ have been derived from the measured low-temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra. The stimulated emission spectra have been calculated using the reciprocity method, and the radiative lifetime of the erbium ⁴I_13/2 level has been determined indicating high nonradiative decay rates. The thermal conductivity of Er-Yb-codoped YAB crystals has been measured.     

Ce3+对Er3+/Yb3+共掺TeO2-WO3-ZnO玻璃发光性能的影响

在Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺TeO₂-WO₃-ZnO玻璃中引入Ce³⁺，研究了Ce³⁺对Er³⁺1.5μm发射性能及其上转换发光性能的影响。结果表明，随Ce³⁺浓度的增加Er³⁺1.5μm波段的荧光强度先增强后降低，优化的Ce³⁺掺杂浓度在2.07×10²⁰/cm³左右；1.5μm波段的荧光寿命则随Ce³⁺浓度的增加有轻微降低，从3.4ms降到3.0ms，但Ce³⁺浓度的增加对1.5μm波段的荧光半高宽基本无影响；Er³⁺/Ce³⁺间的交叉弛豫Er³⁺(⁴I_11/2)+Ce³⁺(²F_5/2)→Er³⁺(⁴I_13/2)+Ce³⁺(²F_7/2)使玻璃的上转换发光强度大大降低，但在过高的Ce³⁺浓度下，Er³⁺/Ce³⁺间的另一交叉弛豫Er³⁺(⁴I_13/2)+Ce³⁺(²F_5/2)→Er³⁺(⁴I_15/2)+Ce³⁺(²F_7/2)则使Er³⁺⁴I_13/2能级粒子数减少，导致1.5μm波段荧光强度和荧光寿命降低. 关键词： 碲钨酸盐玻璃 发光性能 3+离子')" href="#">Er³⁺离子 3+离子')" href="#">Ce³⁺离子 交叉弛豫     

Doubly doped BaY2F8:Er,Nd VUV scintillator

Doubly doped BaY₂F₈:Er,Nd scintillation crystals were grown by modified micro-pulling-down method. The Er co-doping was chosen to enhance the energy transfer from the host lattice to the Nd³⁺ luminescence center via the 5d-levels of Er³⁺, which can be enabled by the overlap of Er³⁺ 5d-4f emission spectrum with the Nd³⁺ 4f-5d absorption. The energy transfer was clearly evidenced in the BaY₂F₈:Er,Nd. The processes are complicated by energy migration to killer centres and/or cross-relaxation processes. The luminescence and energy transfer mechanism are discussed.     

Broadband infrared emission of erbium–thulium-codoped calcium boroaluminate glasses

The near-infrared emission from calcium boroaluminate (CABAL) glasses codoped with Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ has been investigated. It is shown that by controlling the [Tm]/[Er] concentration ratio a fairly flat emission with a bandwidth of 370 nm can be achieved in the wavelength range from 1.4 to 2.0 μm. The broadband emission is formed by three bands centered at 1.4, 1.5 and 1.8 μm, which are related to the emission from the Tm³⁺: ³ H ₄→³ F ₄, Er³⁺: ⁴ I _13/2→⁴ I _15/2 and Tm³⁺: ³ F ₄→³ H ₆ transitions, respectively. Compared to Er-only doping and Tm-only doping at the same concentration, codoping with both ions leads to a reduction of the intensity and lifetime of the Er-related band at 1.53 μm and to an intensity enhancement of the two Tm-related emission bands at 1.46 and 1.80 μm. This is a result of energy transfer (ET) processes between Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions that are relevant when determining the emission spectrum shape. Two dominant ET processes are identified, both consisting of transferring the energy of the Er³⁺ first excited level (⁴ I _13/2) in the first case to the Tm³⁺ first excited level (³ F ₄), which is excited to the third excited level (³ H ₄), and in the second case to the Tm³⁺ ground state (³ H ₆) which is excited to the first excited level (³ F ₄).     

Effect of concentration quenching on the spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped AlF3-based glasses

A series of highly Er3+/Yb3+ 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 Er3+/Yb3+ concentration quenching on spectroscopic properties. In the glasses with Er3+ concentrations below 10 mol%, concentration quenching is very low and the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluoroaluminate glasses have stronger fluorescence of 1.54 μm due to the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition than that of Er3+ singly-doped glasses. As Er3+ concentrations above 10 mol% in the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped samples, concentration quenching of 1.54 μm does obviously occur as a result of the back energy transfer from Er3+ to Yb3+. To obtain the highest emission efficiency at 1.54 μm, the optimum doping-concentration ratio of Er3+/Yb3+ was found to be approximately 1:1 in mol fraction when the Er3+ concentration is less than 10 mol%.     

Concentration quenching in erbium-doped tellurite glasses

Er₂O₃-doped TeO₂-ZnO-La₂O₃ modified tellurite glasses were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method, and the Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 fluorescence properties have been studied for different Er³⁺ concentrations. Infrared spectra were measured in order to estimate the exact content of OH⁻ groups in samples. Based on the electric dipole-dipole interaction theory, the interaction parameter, C_Er,Er, for the migration rate of Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_13/2 in modified tellurite glass was calculated. Finally, the concentration quenching mechanism using a model based on energy transfer and quenching by hydroxyl (OH⁻) groups was presented.     

Energy transfer between Yb3+ and Er3+ ions in an Er,Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 crystal

The electron-excitation energy transfer between Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions in Er,Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystals has been investigated. Crystals with different concentrations of active ions have been grown, and their luminescence decay kinetics in the spectral range near 1 μm have been experimentally measured. The energy-transfer microparameters have been calculated. It is shown that, to correctly describe the energy transfer in Er,Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystals, one must take into account the interactions of higher orders than dipole-dipole interactions.     

Temperature-dependent fluorescence characteristics of an ytterbium-sensitized erbium-doped tellurite glass

In this article, the 1.5 μm emission spectra corresponding to the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ in tellurite glass are studied within the temperature from 8 to 300 K. The emission spectra of Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition are also analyzed using a peak-fit routine, and an equivalent four-level system is proposed to estimate the stark splitting for the ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2 levels of Er³⁺ in the tellurite glass. The results indicate that the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 emission of Er³⁺ can exhibit a considerable broadening due to a significant enhance the peak a′, and b′ change, respectively, and the peaks of which are located at about 1507 and 1556 nm. A detailed study of temperature-dependent 1.5 μm emission spectra involving the change of the corresponding sub-bands shows that as the temperature decreases from 300 to 8 K, its line-shape becomes sharper and more intense (the full-width at half-maximum decreases from 59 to 38 nm). Temperature-dependent fluorescence intensities and the experimentally determined lifetimes are investigated; the results show that a decrease behavior of fluorescence intensities and lifetimes are observed for temperature from 8 to 300 K.     

Spectroscopy,continuous-wave and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis>-switched diode-pumped laser operation of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

We report on the spectroscopy and, for the first time to our knowledge, continuous-wave and Q-switched diode-pumped laser operation of Er,Yb:YVO₄ crystal. Absorption and emission spectra of the crystal were determined. Lifetimes of Er^{3+ 4} I _13/2 and ⁴ I _11/2 levels that define laser performance of the crystal were measured and parameters of energy transfer between Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions were estimated. cw output power of 115 mW with slope efficiency of 5.4% was achieved at 1604 nm. In the Q-switched mode an average output power of 81 mW with slope efficiency of 3.5% and pulse duration of 150 ns was obtained. In quasi-cw regime maximal peak power of 610 mW with slope efficiency of 6.7% was demonstrated. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Gd; 42.70.Hj