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.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Sc:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

The results of Er³⁺ ion spectroscopic analysis in Sc:LiNbO₃ crystals were reported. The line strengths from the ground state to the excited state were evaluated from the measured unpolarized absorption spectrum and analyzed by using standard Judd–Ofelt theory. For Sc(3 mol. %):Er (1 mol. %):LiNbO₃ crystal, the obtained intensity parameters are: Ω₂=3.72×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=1.07×10^-20 cm², and Ω₆=0.98×10^-20 cm². The fluorescence spectra and microsecond time-resolved spectra were investigated in the visible region. The excited state absorption transition strengths at 800 nm excitation were evaluated based on Judd–Ofelt theory. The results obtained here were compared to results from other research on Er:LiNbO₃ crystals. PACS 71.20.Eh; 77.84.Dy; 42.70.Hj; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Ky     

Luminescence of transparent glass ceramics containing Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> zirconate-titanate nanocrystals

Luminescence regularities have been studied in new erbium/ytterbium materials based on glasses and glass ceramics of a magnesium-aluminosilicate system containing nanoscale erbium/ytterbium zirconate titanate crystals with the pyrochlore structure. Lifetimes of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in the ² F_5/2 state and in the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states, respectively, and the efficiency of Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ energy transfer have been evaluated. The identified spectral-luminescent characteristics of the studied glasses and glass ceramics co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions show that these materials are promising media for producing laser generation in the spectral range around 1.5 μm.     

A cobalt-doped transparent glass ceramic saturable absorber Q-switch for a LD pumped Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> glass microchip laser

We fabricate a transparent glass ceramic contains magnesium-aluminum spinel nanocrystallites doped with Co²⁺ ions. The ground-state and excited-state absorption cross section of this glass ceramic at 1.54 μm are estimated to be (2.8 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹⁹ cm² and (4.8 ± 0.5) × 10⁻²⁰ cm², respectively. For the first time, the passively Q-swithched operation of LD pumped 1.54 μm microchip Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ glass laser is realized with transparent glass ceramic as saturable absorber. The Q-switched pulses of 3.846 kHz in repetition rate, 6.2 ns in duration and 6.3 μJ in energy are obtained. At last, the dependences of pulse width and repetition rate on pump power are also investigated.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals codoped with HfO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The results of the spectroscopic analysis of transition strengths for Er³⁺ ions in a series of Hf:Er:LiNbO₃ crystals with variable Hf content and fixed Er content are reported. Unpolarized UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra, upconversion fluorescence spectra excited at 800 nm, and microsecond time-resolved spectra excited at 400 nm and 800 nm by 800 nm femtosecond laser were measured at room temperature. The HfO₂ incorporation has influence on Er³⁺ radiative lifetimes, and fluorescence branching ratios. For Hf(4 mol %):Er(1 mol %):LiNbO₃, Ω₂=2.63×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=2.86×10^-20 cm², and Ω₆=0.72×10^-20 cm². Ω₂<Ω₄ is contrary to the Er³⁺ general trend of Ω₂>Ω₄>Ω₆ when the Hf content is below its threshold concentration. In addition, the sum of Ω increases with the Hf content when the HfO₂ content below 6 mol % is unfamiliar. The upconversion mechanism is discussed in this work. PACS 71.20.Eh; 77.84.Dy; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Ky     

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.     

Measurement of the fraction of reabsorbed light in an Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped glass

We report on an original continuous holographic grating technique to quantify the excitation transport within the excited states of erbium ions. We measure a very long range effect well beyond the μm distance which is attributed to radiation trapping. We demonstrate that 30% of the emitted light is reabsorbed inside the sample due to total internal reflections (TIR). The effect of reabsorption is totally removed when TIR are reduced by refractive index matching of the surroundings of the sample. PACS 78.20.-e     

Wavelength tunable femtosecond laser based on short Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> codoped phosphate fiber

A wavelength tunable laser system mode-locked by nonlinear polarization evolution based on a 3 cm-long homemade Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped phosphate fiber has been reported. By simply adjusting the polarization controllers, the central wavelength of the mode-locked spectrum can be tuned over 1537.1–1563.3 nm continuously. Moreover, 264-fs pulse with 3-dB spectral width of 39.6 nm and peak power of 7.8 kW at a 7.55 MHz repetition rate is generated directly from the all-fiber ring cavity.     

Comparative Investigation on Nanocrystal Structure and Luminescence Properties of Gadolinium Molybdates Codoped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

This paper reports on the comparative investigation of nanocrystal structure and luminescence properties of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped gadolinium molybdate nanocrystals Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ and Gd₂MoO₆ synthesized by the Pechini method with citric acid and ethylene glycol. Their crystallization, structure transformation, and morphologies have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. It is noticed that Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped monoclinic Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ nanocrystals have shown an intense upconversion through a sintering of the organic complex precursor at 600°C. Furthermore, it transforms to orthorhombic Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ when the precursor is sintered at 900°C. In counterpart of monoclinic Gd₂MoO₆, however, the monoclinic structure remains unchanged when the precursor is sintered at a temperature ranging from 600°C to 900°C. Intense visible emissions of Er³⁺ attributed to the transitions of ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2–⁴I_15/2 at 520 and 550 nm, and ⁴F_9/2–⁴I_15/2 at 650 nm have been observed upon an excitation with a UV source and a 980 nm laser diode, and the involved mechanisms have been explained. It is quite interesting to observe obvious differences both in the excitation and the upconversion emission spectra of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ respectively with monoclinic and orthorhombic structure. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power has confirmed that two-photons contribute to upconversion of the green–red emissions.     

Localized desvitrifiation in Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped strontium barium niobate glass by laser irradiation

Localized desvitrifiation in strontium barium niobate glass doped with Er³⁺ under laser irradiation has been carried out. The samples of this study have been fabricated by the melt quenching method and doped with 5% mol of Er³⁺. A 1.5-W cw Ar laser was focused on the sample to obtain desvitrifiation of the glass. Evidence of the changes induced by the Ar laser has been observed through the analysis of the photoluminescence of the Er³⁺ ions. The transitions corresponding to ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 have been studied to analyze structure changes. Microluminescence measurements have been carried out to spatially select positions inside and outside the irradiated area. We have observed changes in the emission bands corresponding to these transitions. The emission bands from Er³⁺ ions in the irradiated zone show a resolved structure while they are broadened outside that area. These changes in the optical properties of the Er³⁺ ions indicate that the Ar-laser irradiation has produced a change in the local structure of the material. These results show that a localized desvitrifiation has been produced after the laser action and the transition from glass to glass ceramic has been completed.     

Green,blue, red,near-infrared up-conversion luminescence of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles

YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺; YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺; and YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Tm³⁺ were all synthesized via sol-gel method with a subsequent thermal treatment. Specifically, YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Tm³⁺ phosphors were prepared with different annealing temperatures to study the influence of temperature. The transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and photoluminescent (PL) spectrofluorometer were used to investigate the morphology, crystal structure, and up-conversion luminescent properties of all samples. In summary, all samples were granular-like nanoparticles and well crystallized with the same tetragonal phase as YVO₄. Under the irradiation at 980 nm, YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors can generate green emission at 525 and 553 nm and red emission at 657 nm, while YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺ phosphors can generate blue emission at 476 nm, red emission at 648 nm, and near-infrared emission at 800 nm. Notably, YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Tm³⁺ samples can exhibit green emission, blue emission, red emission, and near-infrared emission at the same time, which might endow the as-prepared samples with potential applications in many fields, such as luminous paint, infrared detection, and biological label.     

Wavelength tunable linear cavity cladding pump Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>co-doped fiber laser operating in L-band

We have demonstrated a novel tunable linear cavity Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped fiber laser, which utilizes amplified spontaneous emission as a secondary pump source so that it can operate in L-band. The tuning wavelength range can be up to 34 nm, from 1588.6 to 1622.6 nm, and the output power excursion of the laser at different wavelengths can be less than 0.4 dB by using a two sections of high-birefringence fiber loop mirror as the wavelength filter. The high output power of 200 mW is realized by using the cladding-pump.     

Cathodoluminescence and selective emission of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in oxides

The dependence of the Er³⁺ cathodoluminescence and selective emission on the power of the YAG:Er³⁺ and Er₂O₃ excitation by an electron beam is spectroscopically studied for applications in high-intensity radiation sources of the visible and near-IR spectral ranges.     

Photon avalanche upconversion and pump power studies in LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphor

Hexagonal LaF₃:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor material has been synthesized by chemical precipitation method to obtain high near-infrared to green upconversion (UC) efficiency. Its thermal, structural and fluorescence properties have been studied. UC emission bands have been observed up to 315 nm in UV region. The effect of input pump power on the intensities of various emission bands has been studied in detail and photon avalanche UC mechanism has been identified. On increasing the excitation power, some bands have shown saturation in intensity. Also, at higher pump intensities two new UC bands were observed and their origin has been discussed. The phosphor has also been tested for possible UC-based fingerprint detection.     

High-power resonantly diode-pumped CW Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAG laser

Using high-spatial and -spectral brightness laser diodes, a resonantly pumped high-power continuous-wave (CW) Er³⁺:YAG laser with up to 9 W of output power could be realized. Due to the lower upconversion loss in the 0.5% Er³⁺-doped crystal, intrinsic efficiencies of up to 64.3% and an optimum outcoupling of ∼20% were found. The output power was compared to quasi-three-level theory with good agreement. In an optimized cavity design a mode fill efficiency of ∼95% was achieved.     

Defect Structure and Up-conversion Luminescence Properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Nanomaterials

The up-converting ZrO₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ nanomaterials were prepared with the combustion and sol–gel methods. FT-IR spectroscopy was used for analyzing the impurities. The crystal structures were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction and the mean crystallite sizes were estimated with the Scherrer formula. Up-conversion luminescence measurements were made at room temperature with IR-laser excitation at 977 nm. The IR spectra revealed the conventional and OH⁻ impurities for the combustion synthesis products. The structure of the ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanomaterials was cubic except for the minor monoclinic and tetragonal impurities obtained with the sol–gel method. The materials showed red (650–700 nm) and green (520–560 nm) up-conversion luminescence due to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2)→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. The products obtained with the combustion synthesis exhibited the most intense luminescence intensity and showed considerable afterglow.     

Intensities of hypersensitive transitions in garnet crystals doped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

We examine the oscillator strengths and the intensity parameters Ω _t (t = 2, 4, 6) of yttrium-aluminum, scandium-containing, and gallium garnet crystals doped with Er³⁺ ions. A comparative analysis of the oscillator strengths and the intensity parameters Ω _t (t = 2, 4, 6) of garnets with different contents of Al³⁺ and Sc³⁺ ions (Gd_2.4Er_0.5Sc_1.8Al_3.3O₁₂, Gd_2.4Er_0.5Sc_1.9Al_3.2O₁₂, Gd_2.4Er_0.5Sc_2.0Al_3.1O₁₂) is performed, as a result of which the oscillator strengths and the intensity parameters Ω _t (t = 2, 4, 6) of these crystals are shown to have close values. We find that Ca₃(NbGa)₅O₁₂ crystals doped with Er³⁺ ions are characterized by highest values of the oscillator strengths for hypersensitive transitions and of the intensity parameter Ω₂ of Er³⁺ ions compared to the values of these quantities in the examined garnet crystals, which is determined by the fact that the symmetry of the local environment of Er³⁺ ions in these crystals is C ₁, C ₂, or C _2ν. We reveal that, as the concentration of Er³⁺ ions in these crystals increases from 1 to 39 at %, both the oscillator strength of the hypersensitive transition ⁴ I _15/2 → ² H _11/2 of Er³⁺ ions and their intensity parameter Ω₂ tend to decrease, which can be related to an increase in the relative fraction of Er³⁺ ions with higher symmetry of the local environment.     

Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> photoluminescence excitation spectra in erbium-doped epitaxial silicon structures

Excitation spectra of erbium photoluminescence (λ=1540 nm) in Si: Er epitaxial structures were studied within a broad pump wavelength range (λ=780–1500 nm). Erbium photoluminescence was observed to occur at pump energies substantially less than the silicon band-gap width. Possible mechanisms of erbium ion excitation in this pump radiation energy region are discussed.     

Intensity parameters for Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in calcium-niobium-gallium garnet crystals

Based on the analysis of the absorption spectra of Er-doped calcium-niobium-gallium garnet (Er:CNGG) crystals according to the Judd-Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters for these crystals are determined to be Θ₂ = 3.43 × 10^?20 cm² Θ₄ = 1.20 × 10^?20 cm², and Θ₆ = 0.58 × 10^?20 cm². The parameters found are compared with the intensity parameters for other laser oxide crystals. Using these intensity parameters, the probabilities of radiative transitions between the energy levels of Er³⁺ ions in CNGG crystals and the luminescence branching ratios β_JJ’ are calculated. From the measured lifetime of the ⁴ I _11/2 level of Er³⁺ ions (τ = 626 μs) and the probability of the radiative transition from this level (A = 192 s^?1), it is found that about 88% of the excitation energy in the Er:CNGG crystals is nonradiatively transferred from the ⁴ I _11/2 to the ⁴ I _13/2 level. It is suggested that an increase in the oscillator strength and in the line strength of the ⁴ I _15/2 → ² H _11/2 transition of Er³⁺ in CNGG crystals, as well as an increase in the intensity parameter Θ₂ with respect to the corresponding parameters for other garnet crystals are caused by the existence in CNGG crystals of Er³⁺ centers with the environment symmetry lower than D ₂.