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 Near-Infrared Emission from Transparent Ni^2＋ -Doped Sodium Aluminosilicate Glass Ceramics

Broadband near-infrared emission from transparent Ni^2＋-doped sodium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics is observed. The broad emission is centred at 1290nm and covers the whole telecommunication wavelength region （1100- 1700hm） with full width at half maximum of about 340hm. The observed infrared emission could be attributed to the 3T2（F） → 3A2（F） transition of octahedral Ni^2＋ ions that occupy high-field sites in nanocrystals. The product of the lifetime and the stimulated emission cross section is 2.15 × 10^-24 cm^2s. It is suggested that Ni^2＋- doped sodium aluminosilicate glass ceramics have potential applications in tunable broadband light sources and broadband amplifiers.     

Broadband Infrared Luminescence of Bismuth-Doped Borosilicate Glasses

We prepare bismuth-doped borosilicate glasses and the luminescence properties in infrared wavelength region are investigated. Transmission spectrum, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence decay curve are measured. The glasses exhibit a broad infrared luminescence peaking at 1340nm with the full width at half maximum of about 205 nm, and lifetime of 273us when excited by an 808-nm laser diode. The glasses are promising materials for broadband optical amplifiers and tunable lasers.     

High Efficiency Infrared to Visible Upconversion in Er3＋／yb3＋—Doped Lead Halide Tellurite Glass

Strong upconversion luminescence of Er3 /Yb3 -doped lead halide tellurite glass under 976nm excitation is demonstrated. Three emission bands centred at 525 nm, 545 nm, and 655 nm resulting from the transitionsfrom the excited states 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 to the ground state 4I15/2, respectively, are observed evenat 60mW pumping power. The power dependent intensity and the upconversion mechanisms responsible forthe luminescence are evaluated and discussed. The obtained results might provide useful information for thedevelopments of upconversion lasers.     

Red Up-Conversion Luminescence Process in Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics Doped with Er^3＋／Yb^3＋

The phonon-assisted quantum cutting (PQC) model is presumed to clarify the red up-conversion luminescence process in Er^3 /yb^3 co-doped glass ceramics by the excitation and emission spectra. The red up-conversion luminescence of Er^3 ions mainly comes from three-photon absorption by the PQC process when the rare earth ions are doped in the g/ass ceramics and excited by 98Ohm pumped-laser. Er^3 ions absorb three-photons and relax to the ^4G11/2 state and then emit red up-conversion luminescence by the PQC process. The factor coefficient for the relation of pump-laser power and up-conversion intensity (P-I) is found by the analysis of excitation spectra of the red luminescence, which plays a major role to understand the true red up-conversion luminescence process. The new P-I relation is explained by the model of PQC.     

Blue Upconversion Luminescence in Tm^3＋／Yb^3＋-Codoped Lead Chloride Tellurite Glass

The upconversion properties of Tm^3 /Yb3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass under 980hm excitation were investigated. The intense blue (476nm) emission and weak red (649 nm) emission corresponding to the ^1G4→4 ^3H6 and ^1G4→^3H4 transitions of Tm^3 ions, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The dependence of upconversion intensities on excitation power and the possible upconversion mechanisms are evaluated. The intense blue upconversion luminescence of Tm^3 /Yb^3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass can be used as potential host material for the development of blue upconversion optical devices.     

Abnormal Visible Luminescence Mechanism of Tb^3＋-Yb^3＋ Codoped SiOu-Al2O3-CaF2 Glass Studied by Time-Resolved Spectra

The upconversion energy transfer mechanism in Tb^3＋-Yb^3＋ co-doped SiO2-Al2O3-CaF2 glass is investigated by time-resolved spectra. The effect of donor ion Yb^3＋ is involved in the dynamic decay behavior of acceptor ion Tb^3＋, which provides direct proof for the energy transfer from Yb^3＋ to Tb^3＋. The pump power dependence curves show that the upconversion luminescence is a two-photon process. The measured decay curves of the 5D4 state （Tb^3＋） contain two parts： a slow decay process corresponding to its radiation, and a fast one with a decay parameter approximately twice the lifetime of the ^2F5/2 state （Yb^3＋ ）. The fast decay process is contradictory to the generally accepted cooperative sensitization upconversion rate equation model. Since the effect of the host environmental is excluded by comparative experiments, we believe that there should be another energy transfer mechanism in Tb^3＋-Yb^3＋ co-doped SiO2-Al2O3-CaF2 glass in addition to the cooperative sensitization process.     

Structural and Luminescence Properties of Transparent Nanocrystalline ZrO2：Er^3＋ Films

The structural and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline ZrO2 ：Er^3＋ films are reported. Transparent nano-ZrO2 crystalline films doped with Er^3＋ have been prepared using a wet chemistry process. An intense roomtemperature emission at 1527nm with a full width at half-maximum of 46 nm has been observed, which is assigned to the ^4Ⅰ13/2 → ^4Ⅰ15/2 intra-4f^n electric transition of Er^3＋. Correlations between the luminescence properties and structures of the nanocrystalline ZrO2 ：Er^3＋ films have been investigated. Infrared-to-visible upconversion occurs simultaneously upon excitation of a commercially available 980-nm laser diode and the involved mechanisms have also been explained. The results indicate that the nanocrystalline ZrO2：Er^3＋ films might be suggested as promising materials for achieving broadband Er^3＋-doped waveguide amplifiers and upconversion waveguide lasers.     

Cooperative Quantum Cutting of Nano-Crystalline BaF2：Tb^3＋, Yb^3＋ in Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics

We report on cooperative quantum cutting in Tb^3＋- Yb^3＋ codoped glass ceramics. Precipitation of BaF2 nanocrystals is confirmed by XRD and HRTEM analysis. Near-infrared emission due to transition of Yb^3＋ ions under 485 nm excitation indicates cooperative energy transfer from Tb^3＋ to Yb^3＋. The quantum efficiency of this process reaches 145%. The realization of quantum cutting in glass ceramics may have promising applications in solar cells.     

Broadband and High Efficient 1530 nm Emission from Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics Codoped with Er3＋ and Yb3＋ Ions

The emission at 1530nm and its applications in optical communications are discussed. The efficient width of the emission band △eff, which is up to 91 nm, is larger as compared with silica-based glass, bismuth glass and ZrF4-BaF2-LaFa-AIF3-NaF （ZBLAN） glass doped by Er^3＋ ions. Under the excitation of 785 nm laser, the emission integral intensity of 153Onto increases about five times in the glass ceramics higher than that in the glass. This is explained by the quantum cutting process by two-photon emission with phonon assistance. The results indicate that the glass ceramics are a promising candidate for developing broadband optical amplifiers in wavelength-division multiplexed systems.     

Tunable Infrared Luminescence and Optical Amplification in PbS Doped Glasses

PbS-doped glasses are prepared. Absorption and luminescence spectra show that both the absorption and infrared emission can be tuned widely by thermal treatment conditions. Optical amplification at 1300 nm is observed, and amplified spontaneous emission （ASE） spectrum is also measured to confirm the optical gain from PbS quantum dots.     

Luminescence and Energy Transfer of Eu^2＋, Mn^2＋ in SrZnP2O7

The SrZnP2OT：Eu^2＋, Mn^2＋ phosphor is synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction. The luminescence properties and the energy transfer between Eu^2＋ and Mn^2＋ are investigated. The emission bands of this phosphor peaked at 42Ohm and 67Ohm are originated from the 5d → 4f transition of Eu^2＋ and from the 4T1 （4G） --〉 6A1 （6S） transit/on of Mn^2＋, respectively. With the increasing Mn^2＋ concentration, the intensity of fixed concentra- tion Eu^2＋ decreases and the intensity of Mn^2＋ also increases. It is suggested that there is an energy transfer from Eu^2＋ to Mn^2＋ in SrZnP2O7 host. According to Dexter＇s energy transfer formula of multipolar interaction, the energy transfer between Eu^2＋ and Mn^2＋ is due to the electric dipole-quadrupole interaction of the resonance transfer.     

Luminescence Spectra of YGG：RE^3＋, Bi^3＋ （RE = Eu and Tb） and Energy Transfer from Bi^3＋ to RE^3＋

We investigate the luminescence properties of Bi^3＋ and RE^3＋ （RE = Tb or Eu） in a Y3Ga5O12 （YGG） host system. The additional doping of Bi^3＋ can enhance the luminescence of Th^3＋ or Eu^3＋ in this host. Energy transfer from Bi^3＋ to Tb^3＋ and Eu^3＋ is observed and the mechanism of energy transfer is investigated. Mechanism of energy transfer can be explained as electric multipole interaction since the Bi^3＋ emission band and Tb^3＋ or Eu^3＋ excitation band overlaps and the Bi^3＋ emission intensity decreases while the intensity of Tb^3＋ or Eu^3＋ increases with the increase of Tb^3＋ or Eu^3＋ concentration. Therefore, Bi^3＋ ion is a kind of efficient sensitizer to the Tb^3＋ and Eu^3＋ activators in the Y3Ga5O12 host.     

Er^3＋ and Yb^3＋ Codoped Phosphate Laser Glass for High Power Flashlamp Pumping

A novel yb^3＋-Er^3＋ codoped phosphate glass for high power flashlamp pumping and high repetition rate laser at 1.54μm, designated EAT5-2, is developed. The weight-loss rate of is 1.3 × 10^-5 gcm^-2h^-1 in boiling water, which is comparable to Kigre＇s QX-Er glass. Some spectroscopic parameters are analysed by Judd-Ofelt theory and McCumber theory. The emission cross section is calculated to be 0.73 × 10^-20 cm^2. The thermo-mechanical properties of EAT5-2 are modified after an ion-exchange chemical strengthening process in a KNO3/NaNO3 molten salt bath. The thresholds for optical damage from the flashlamp pumping are tested on glass rods. A repetition rate of 15 Hz is achieved for chemically strengthened glass. The laser experimental results at 1.54 μm from flashlamp pumping are also reported.     

Characteristics of Cladding-Pumped Short Er3+/Yb3+ Codoped Single Mode Phosphate Glass Fibre

We experimentally investigate the laser characteristics of a series of short pieces of newly-developed Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped single mode phosphate glass fibres via the cladding pump of a 976nm multimode laser diode. A stablecontinuous-wave single transverse mode laser with over 85mW at 1553nm is generated from a 5.5-cm-long active fibre. Single mode laser output power per unit length is up to 15mW/cm. Moreover, the slope efficiency is 11.8% when the pump power is below 940mW and the 3dB linewidth is 0.06nm at the maximum pump power. The numerical simulation results show that the laser emission slope efficiency can exceed 20% by means of increasing the coupling efficiency of the pump to the fibre core further.     

Preparation and Luminescence Characteristics of Ca3Y2（BO3）4：Eu^3＋ Phosphor

Ca3Y2 （BO3）4：Eu^3＋ phosphor is synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction method, and the Iuminescence characteristics are investigated. The emission spectrum exhibits two strong red emissions at 613 and 621 nm corresponding to the electric dipole ^5 Do- ^7F2 transition of Eu^3＋ under 365 nm excitation, the reason is that Eu^3＋ substituting for Y^3＋ occupies the non-centrosymmetric position in the crystal structure of Ca3 Y2 （BO3）4. The excitation spectrum for 613 nm indicates that the phosphor can be effectively excited by ultraviolet （UV） （254 nm, 365nm and 400nm） and blue （470nm） light. The effect of Eu^3＋ concentration on the emission intensity of Ca3 Y2 （BO3）4 ：Eu^3＋ phosphor is measured, the result shows that the emission intensities increase with increasing Eu^3＋ concentration, then decrease. The CIE colour coordinates of Ca3Y2 （BO3）4：Eu^3＋ phosphor is （0.639, 0.357） at 15mol% Eu^3＋.     

Er3+/Yb3+ Codoped Phosphate Glass Fibre with Gain per Unit Length Greater Than 3.0dB/cm

We experimentally study a novel fibre with high gain per unit length based on the homemade erbium--ytterbium codoped phosphate glass. The gain and noise characterizations with different pump powers at different wavelengths are investigated. The 1.8-cm-long fibre, dual-pumped by two single mode 980-nm fibre-pigtailed laser diodes, provides a gain per unit length greater than 3.0dB/cm and a noise figure less than 6.5dB. The gain saturation behaviour at 1535nm is obtained and the saturation output power (3dB compression) is greater than 5dBm.     

Intrinsic Bistability and Critical Slowing in Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ Codoped Laser Crystal with the Photon Avalanche Mechanism

We present theoretically a novel intrinsic optical bistability （IOB） in the Tm^3＋ /Yb^3＋ codoped system with a photon avalanche mechanism. Numerical simulations based on the rate equation model demonstrate distinct 10B hysteresis and critical slowing dynamics around the avalanche thresholds. Such an 10B characteristic in Tm^3＋ /Yb^3＋ eodoped crystal has potential applications in solid-state bistable optical displays and luminescence switchers in visible-infrared spectra.