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.     

Role of amorphous silicon domains of Er^3＋ emission in the Er—doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon suboxide film

An investigation on the correlation between amorphous Si (a-Si) domains and Er^{3+} emission in the Er-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon suboxide (a-Si:O:H) film is presented. On one hand, a-Si domains provide sufficient carriers for Er^{3+} carrier-mediated excitation which has been proved to be the highest excitation path for Er^{3+} ion; on the other hand, hydrogen diffusion from a-Si domains to amorphous silicon oxide (a-SiO_x) matrix during annealing has been found and this possibly decreases the number of nonradiative centres around Er^{3+} ions. This study provides a better understanding of the role of a-Si domains on Er^{3+} emission in a-Si:O:H films.     

Comparative study of spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋／Yb^3＋-codoped tellurite glass and fibres under 980nm excitation＊

A tellurite fibre of TeO_{2}－ZnO－La_{2}O_{3}－Li_{2}O glass codoped with 20000 ppm ytterbium and 5000 ppm erbium was fabricated by the suction casting and rod-in-tube technologies. The absorption spectrum of Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+} -codoped bulk glass has been measured. From the Judd－Ofelt intensity parameters, the spontaneous emission probability and radiative lifetime τ_{rad} of Er^{3+}:{}^{4}I_{13/2}→{}^{4}I_{15/2} transition for the bulk glass have been calculated. The emission fluorescence spectra and lifetimes around 1.5μm, and subsequent upconversion fluorescence in the range of 500－700nm were measured in fibres and compared with those in bulk glass. The changes in amplified spontaneous emission with fibre length and pumping power was also measured. It was found that the emission spectrum from erbium in fibres is almost twice as broad as the corresponding spectrum in bulk glass when pumped at 980nm.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Spectroscopic investigation of a new crystal： Nd^3＋,Yb^3＋：YVO4

The absorption and emission spectra of the YVO4 single crystal co-doped with 1 at.% Nd^3＋ and 1 at.% Yb^3＋ are investigated. The efficient Nd^3＋ → Yb^3＋ energy transfer and the back transfer （Yb^3＋ → Nd^3＋） are observed at room temperature. The fluorescence lifetime of the 4F3/2 level of Nd^3＋ in Nd,Yb：YVO4 is measured under 808 nm laser light excitation. The efficiency of Nd^3＋ → Yb^3＋ energy transfer in YVO4 is determined to be about 34%.     

A comparison of silicon oxide and nitride as host matrices on the photoluminescence from Er+ ions

This paper compares the properties of silicon oxide and nitride as host matrices for Er ions.Erbium-doped silicon nitride films were deposited by a plasma-enhanced chemical-vapour deposition system.After deposition,the films were implanted with Er3+ at different doses.Er-doped thermal grown silicon oxide films were prepared at the same time as references.Photoluminescence features of Er3+ were inspected systematically.It is found that silicon nitride films are suitable for high concentration doping and the thermal quenching effect is not severe.However,a very high annealing temperature up to 1200° C is needed to optically activate Er3+,which may be the main obstacle to impede the application of Er-doped silicon nitride.     

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.     

Role of incoherent pumping and Er3+ ion concentration on subluminal and superluminal light propagation in Er3+-doped YAG crystal

We study the absorption-dispersion process and group index of weak probe field in a four-level Er3+:YAG crystal.We find that the Er3+ion concentration and incoherent pumping field can influence the absorption-dispersion process and group index of weak probe field.Moreover,our results show that Er3+ion concentration plays a major role in lasing without inversion and absorption with inversion.     

High index of refraction via quantum interference in a three-level system of Er^3＋-doped yttrium aluminium garnet crystal

A simple three-level system is proposed to produce high index of refraction with zero absorption in an Er^3＋-doped yttrium aluminium garnet （YAG） crystal, which is achieved for a probe field between the excited state 4I13/2 and ground state 4I15/2 by adjusting a strong coherent driving field between the upper excited state 4I11/2 and 4I15/2. It is found that the changes of the frequency of the coherent driving field and the concentration of Er^3＋ ions in the YAG crystal can maximize the index of refraction accompanied by vanishing absorption. This result could be useful for the dispersion compensation in fibre communication, laser particle acceleration, high precision magnetometry and so on.     

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.     

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.     

Analysis of the laser performance of Tm3+: ZBLAN glass at 1.47μm wavelength

A formula for the threshold energy of a four-level-system laser in Tm^{3+} doped fluoride glass is derived. The formula contains the parameters of the interaction between the ions and the up-conversion rate of the pump-light. It is discussed that the Tb^{3+} ions and the up-conversion pump-light have an influence on the laser performance of Tm^{3+} ions around 1.47μm wavelength. We draw the following two conclusions. (1) The laser threshold descends obviously due to the doping of Tb^{3+} ions, but the descending gradually flattens out with the increase of the content of Tb^{3+} ions. Its suitable content is (1－2)×10^{20}cm^{-3}. (2) When pump-lights both from the up-conversion and from the ground state excite simultaneously the single-doped Tm^{3+} ions, the threshold energy can reduce and the output energy can increase. In this paper, the energy conversion efficiency from the up-conversion pump-light to the output energy of laser is estimated.     

Effect of lithium-potassium mixed alkali on spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋-doped aluminophosphate glasses

Er^3＋-doped lithium-potassium mixed alkali aluminophosphate glasses belonging to the oxide system xK2O-（15-x）Li2O-4B2O3-11Al2O3-5BaO-65P2O5 are obtained in a semi-continuous melting quenching process. Spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋-doped glass matrix have been analysed by fitting the experimental data with the standard Judd-Ofelt theory. It is observed that Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt（t = 2, 4 and 6） of Er^3＋ change when the second alkali is introduced into glass matrix. The variation of line strength Sed[^4I13/2,^4I15/2] follows the same trend as that of the/26 parameter. The effect of mixed alkali on the spectroscopic properties of the aluminophosphate glasses, such as absorption cross-section, stimulated emission cross-section, spontaneous emission probability, branching ratio and the radiative lifetime, has also been investigated in this paper.     

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.     

Ultraviolet and visible upconversion dynamics in Er^3＋：YAlO3 under ^2H11/2 excitation

The luminescence of Er^3＋：YAlO3 in ultraviolet visible and infrared ranges under the 518 nm excitation of the multiples ^2H11/2 have been investigated. Ultraviolet （275 nm and 318 nm）, violet （405 nm and 413 nm） and blue （474 nm） upconversion and infrared downconversion luminescence has been observed. By means of measuring the fluorescence decay curves and using the theory of rate equations, the luminescence kinetics was studied in detail and the processes of energy transfer upconversion （ETU） and excitation state absorption （ESA） were proposed to explain the upconversion phenomena.     

Theoretical analysis of the anisotropy of the magnetization of the Ho^3＋ ion in holmium iron garnet single crystals

The spontaneous magnetization of the Ho^3＋ ion in holmium iron garnet （HoIG） single crystals in the temperature range of 4.2-294K along the directions [111], [110], and [100] are calculated, taking into account the effects of six magnetically inequivalent sites occupied by the Ho^3＋ ions based on the quantum theory. The calculated results show that the magnetization of the Ho^3＋ ion in HoIG is obviously anisotropic. The theoretical results ave in agreement with those of experiments. A primary interpretation of the anisotropy of magnetization of the Ho^3＋ ion in HoIG is put forward.     

The characteristics of doubly and triply charged ions C2^2＋, C2^2- and C2^3＋

Based on group theory and atomic and molecular reaction statics, this paper derives the possible electronic states of C^{2+}_2, C^{2-}_2 and C^{3+}_2, and their reasonable dissociation limits and determines their ground electronic states C^{2+}_2(X^3Π_u), C^{2-}_2(X^1Σ^+_g) and C^{3+}_2(X^4Σ^-_u) using quantum mechanical calculations at the level of QCISD/6-311G^*. All the potential energy curves of their ground states have both a minimum and a maximum, which are the so-called "energy trapped" molecules. This sort of potential maximum is chiefly due to Coulomb repulsion. We propose the perturbation effect of ionic charges, which is used to explain why the orbital degeneracy of diatomic ions may be removed. The characteristics of potential curves for diatomic ions are briefly described.     

Er3+单掺和Er3+/Yb3+共掺碲酸盐玻璃的光谱性质及能量传递

采用高温熔融法制备了新型Er3+单掺和Er3 +/Yb3+共掺的TeO2-Bi2O3-SiO2-B2O3玻璃,测试并分析了样品的吸收光谱、发射光谱以及Er3 +/Yb3共掺杂样品的发射光谱和荧光寿命.计算出了玻璃的J-O强度系数Ωt(t=2,4,6);系统讨论了Er3+/Yb3+共掺杂样品在808 nm激光激发下,Yb...