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.     

Mixed heavy metal effect on emission properties of Er~(3+)-doped borosilicate glasses

Er3+-doped heavy metal borosilicate glasses were prepared using conventional melting and quenching method. The emission spectra of 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition were observed upon excitation at 974 nm and the lifetime of 4I13/2 level of Er3+ was measured. Based on these data, the fluorescence properties of Er3+ are investigated on the emission and gain characteristics at the 1.5 μm bands. In particular, the effect of relative heavy metal content on fluorescence properties is discussed.     

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.     

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.     

Broadband 1.5-um emission of erbium-doped TeO_2-WO_3-Nb_2O_5 glass for potential WDM amplifier

Erbium-doped glass showing the wider 1.5-um emission band is reported in a novel oxide system TeO2-WO3-Nb2O5 and their thermal stability and optical properties such as absorption, emission spectra, cross-sections and fluorescence lifetime were investigated. Compared with other glass hosts, the gain bandwidth properties of Er3+ in TWN glass is close to that of bismuth glasses, and larger than those of tellurite, germanate, silicate and phosphate glasses. The broad and flat 4I13/2-4I15/2 emission and the large stimulated emission cross-section of Er3+ ions around 1.5um can be used as host material for potential broadband optical amplifier in the wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) network system.     

Visible Upconversion Emission in Er3＋—Doped GeO2—PbO—PbF2 Glass

The upconversion fluorescence emission of Er3 -doped 60GeO2-2OPbO-2OPbF2 glass was experimentally investigated under the pump of 976-nm laser diode. The results reveal the existence of intense emission bands centred around 524, 545, and 657nm at room temperature. The green emission at 524 and 545nm is due to the 4S3/2 2 Hll/2→ 4I15/2 transition and the red emission of 657nm originates from the 4F9/2-→4I15/2 transition of Er3 . The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photonabsorption process occurs under the 976-nm excitation. The excited- state absorption from 4I ll/2 and the cross relaxation between two Er3 ions in the 4I ll/2 state contribute to the green emission. The red emission at 657nm is attributed to the excited-state absorption and cross relaxation processes in the 4I13/2 level as well as the 4S3/2 level nonradiative transition of Er3 .     

Spectral Properties of Erbium—Doped Oxyfluoride Silicate Glasses for Broadband Optical Amplifiers

The new oxyfluoride silicate glasses of Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-(50-x) PbO-xPbF2 were prepared. With increasing PbF2 content in the glass composition, the fluorescence full width at half maximum and lifetimes of the ^4I13/2 level of Er^3 increase, while the refractive indices and densities decrease. Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-50PbF2 glass showed broad fluorescence spectra of 1.55μm with a large stimulated emission cross-section and long lifetimes of ^4I13/2 level of Er^3 . Compared with other glass hosts, the gain bandwidth properties of Er^3 -doped 50SiO2-50PbF2 glass are close to those of tellurite and bismuth glasses, and have advantages over those of silicate, phosphate and germante glasses. The broad and flat ^4I13/2→^4I15/2 emission of Er^3 around 1.55μm can be used as host material for potential broadband optical amplifier in wavelength-division-multiplexing network system.     

Transparent Ni^2＋-Doped MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 Glass Ceramics with Broadband Infrared Luminescence

We report on transparent Ni^2＋-doped MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass ceramics with broadband infrared luminescence. Ni^2＋-doped MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass is prepared by using the conventional method. After heat treatment at high temperature, MgAl2O4 crystallites are precipitated, and their average size is about 4.3 nm. No luminescence is detected in the as-prepared glass sample, while broadband infrared luminescence centred at around 1315 nm with full width at half maximum （FWHM） of about 300 nm is observed from the glass ceramics. The observed infrared emission could be attributed to the ^3T2g（^3F）→^3A2g（^3F） transition of octahedral Ni^2＋ ions in the MgAl2O4 crystallites of the transparent glass ceramics. The product of the fluorescence lifetime and the stimulated emission cross section is about 1.6×10^-24 s cm^2.     

Broadband 1.5-μm emission of erbium-doped TeO2-WO3-Nb2O5 glass for potential WDM amplifier

Erbium-doped glass showing the wider 1.5-/μm emission band is reported in a novel oxide system TeO2-WO3-Nb2O5 and their thermal stability and optical properties such as absorption,emission spectra,cross-sections and fluorescence lifetime were investigated.Compared with other glass hosts,the gain bandwidthproperties of Er3+ in TWN glass is close to that of bismuth glasses,and larger than those of tellurite,germanatc,silicate and phosphate glasses.The broad and flat 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 emission and the largestimulated emission cross-section of Er3+ ions around 1.5 μm can be used as host material for potentialbroadband optical amplifier in the wavelength-division-multiplexing(WDM)network system.     

Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) codoped phosphate glass laser end-pumped by laser diode

An Er3 /Yb3 phosphate laser glass was fabricated and characterized. According to McCumber theory, the stimulated emission cross-section of Er3 ions at 1533 nm calculated by absorption spectrum was 0.84×10-20 cm2, and the fluorescence lifetime of 4I13/2 level was 8.5 ms. Continuous wave (CW) laser operation of this Er3 /Yb3 phosphate glass pumped by laser diode (LD) was demonstrated at room temperature. The maximum output power of 80 mW and slope efficiency of 16.5% were obtained.     

Broadband Infrared Luminescence of Ni^2＋ in Petalite-Type Transparent Glass Ceramics

Transparent Ni^2＋-doped magnesium aluminosilicate glass ceramics are prepared. The formation of petalite-type crystallites in the glass ceramics is confirmed by x-ray diffraction. Broadband infrared luminescence centred at around 1235nm with full width at half maximum （FWHM） of about 300nm is observed from the Ni^2＋-doped glass ceramics. The observed infrared emission could be attributed to the ^3T2（F） → ^3A2（F） transition of octahedral Ni^2＋ ions in petalite-type crystallites. Theproduct of the fluorescence lifetime and the stimulated emission cross sections is 1.2 ×10-24 cm^2s.     

Spectroscopic properties of neodymium-doped tellurite glass fiber

Nd~(3+)-doped tellurite glass and a single mode tellurite glass fiber with a core diameter of 8 μm were prepared in this work. The 1.33-μm emission from the ~4F_(3/2)→~4I_(13/2) transition of Nd~(3+) with a spectral bandwidth of 55 nm in tellurite glass fiber is observed. The lifetime of 164 μs of ~4F_(3/2) level and quantum efficiency of about 100% are obtained.     

Temperature effect on emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime of the ~4I_(13/2) state of Er~(3+)-doped Gd_2SiO_5 crystal

By measuring the emission spectra and the fluorescence lifetime of the 4 I 13 /2 state of Er 3+ ions in Gd 2 SiO 5 crystal at different temperatures,the effects of temperature on the spectra and the lifetime of the 4 I 13 /2 state are investigated. When the temperature increases,the emission line width for the 4 I 13 /2 → 4 I 15 /2 transition is broadened,and the main emission lines at 1 596,1 609,and 1 644 nm shifte toward shorter wavelengths. The measured lifetime of the 4 I 13 /2 state decreases from 13.2 to 8.4 ms with temperature increase from 13 to 300 K,which is mainly due to the temperature dependence of multiphonon relaxation between the 4 I 13 /2 and 4 I 15 /2 states and the changing population distribution among the Stark levels within the 4 I 13 /2 state. The experimental results imply that low temperature condition is better for the ～1.6-μm laser output.     

Er3+/Yb3+ codoped phosphate glass laser end-pumped by laser diode

An Er3+/yb3+ phosphate laser glass was fabricated and characterized. According to McCumber theory, the stimulated emission cross-section of Er3+ ions at 1533 nm calculated by absorption spectrum was 0.84 × 10-20 cm2, and the fluorescence lifetime of 4I13/2 level was 8.5 ms. Continuous wave (CW) laser operation of this Er3+/Yb3+ phosphate glass pumped by laser diode (LD) was demonstrated at room temperature. The maximum output power of 80 mW and slope efficiency of 16.5% were obtained.     

Spectroscopic properties in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ Co-doped fluorophosphate glass

Using the technique of high-temperature melting, a new Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped fluorophosphate glass was prepared. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in depth. The effect of Er 3+ and Yb 3+ concentration on the spectroscopic properties of the glass sample was also discussed. According to the Judd–Ofelt theory, the oscillator strength was computed. The lifetime of 4 I 13/2 level (τ m ) of Er 3+ ions was 8.23 ms, and the full width at half maximum of the dominating emission peak was 68 nm at 1.53 μm. The large stimulated emission cross section of the Er 3+ was calculated by the McCumber theory. The spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ ion were compared with those in different glasses. The full width at half maximum and σ e are larger than those of other glass hosts, indicating this studied glass may be a potentially useful candidate for high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifier.     

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.     

Efficient 2.7-μm emission in Er3＋-doped bismuth germanate glass pumped by 980-nm laser diode

An Er 3+-doped lead-free bismuth germanate glass is synthesized. Its 2.7-μm emission property is analyzed, and the efficient 2.7-μm emission from the glass is observed under 980-nm laser diode excitation. The prepared glass possesses high spontaneous transition probability (64.8 s 1 ) and a large calculated emission cross section (6.61×10 21 cm 2 ) corresponding to the 4I11/2→4I13/2 transition. The multiphonon relaxation rate for the excited state 4I11/2 is only 236 s 1 . Therefore, the excellent spectroscopic properties and outstanding thermal stability suggest that this glass is a suitable host for developing solid-state lasers operating in the mid-infrared.     

Enhancement of upconversion luminescence of YAlO3：Er^3＋ by Gd^3＋ doping

Two series of Yb3+-doped silica glasses (YA and YAP) are fabricated using the sol-gel method, and their spectroscopic properties are investigated. The longest fluorescence lifetime of 0.96 ms is obtained in YAP2 and YAP3 glasses. The emission cross-section (σemi) and σemi ×τ of Yb3+ in the YAP1 glass are 1.00 pm2 and 0.94 pm2·ms, respectively. Co-doping with Al and P decreases the hydroxyl group content in the glasses because of the reduction in non-bridging oxygen content. The lowest OH content in the YAP3 glass is 9.6 ppm.     

Energy transfer mechanism in Er3＋ doped fluoride glass sensitized by Tm3＋ or no3＋ for 2.7-μm emission

Enhanced 2.7 μm emission is obtained in Er3＋/Tma＋ and Era＋/Ho3＋ codoped ZBYA glasses. Absorp- tion and emission spectra are tested to characterize the 2.7 μm emission properties of Era＋/Tm3＋ and Era＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glasses and a reasonable energy transfer mechanism of 2.7 μm emission between Er3＋ and Tm3＋Ho3＋） ion is proposed. Codoping of Tm3＋ or Ho3＋ significantly reduces the lifetime of the Era＋： 4I13/2 level due to the energy transfer of Er3＋：4I13/2 →Tm3＋：3F4 or Er3＋：4I13/2 →Ho3＋： 5I7. Thus, the 2.7μm emission is strengthened and the 1,5μm emission is decreased accordingly especially in the Era＋/Tma＋ sample. The upconversion effects between the Er3＋/Tm3＋ and Er3＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glasses are different attribute to the different energy transfer efficiencies. Both of the two codoped samples possess nearly equal large emission cross section （16.6 × 10 -21 cm-2） around 2.7 μm. The results indicate that this Er3＋/Tm3＋ or Er3＋/Ho3＋ doped ZBYA glass has potential applications in 2.7 μm laser.     

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.