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.     

Fluorescence Lifetime Increasing with F- Ions into Ytterbium-Doped Germanium-Lead-Tellurite Glasses

The effects of F^- ions in a germanium-lead-tellurite glass system on the spectral and potential laser properties of the Yb^3 are investigated. The absorption spectra, lifetimes, the emission cross-sections and the minimum pump intensities of the glass system with and without F^- ions have been measured and calculated. The results show that the fluorescence lifetime and the minimum pump intensity of Yb^3 ions increase evidently, which indicatesthat germanium-lead-oxyfluoride tellurite glass is a promising laser host matrix for high power generation. FT-IRspectra were used to analyse the effect of F^- ions on OH^- groups in this glass system. Analysis demonstrates that addition of fluoride removes the OH^- groups and results in improvement of fluorescence lifetime of Yb^3 .     

Mixed Former Effect：A Kind of COmposition Adjusting Method of Er—Doped Glass for Broadband Amplification

A compositional adjusting method called the mixed former effect is proposed to improve effectively optical properties such as the emission cross sectionk,the fluorescence full width at half maximum(FWHM)and the lifetime of the 4I13/2 level of Er-doped glass.A kind of Er-0doped bismuth-based glass illustrated high emission cross section (σe^p=0.66-0.90pm^2),large fluorescence FWHM(68-85nm),and relatively long lifetime of the ^4I13/2 level(Tm=1.6-4.3ms) using this method.A comparison of spectroscopic parameters shows that bismuth based glass is much better for broadband amplifiers than other glass hosts.     

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.     

Evaluation of Optical Properties of Self-Frequency-Doubling Crystal Yb：GdYAl3（BO3）4 for Laser Applications

Yb：GdYAl3 （B03）4 （Yb：GdYAB） is investigated as a new laser crystal for potential applications in self-frequency doubling. The emission and absorption properties of Yb：GdYAB crystal are studied, and the emission decay times of the upper laser level are measured. The emission cross sections are evaluated using the absorption cross section and principle of reciprocity. The other laser performance parameters, such as the minimum inversion fraction βmin, pump saturation intensity Isat and minimum pump intensity 1rain, are also calculated. The results are discussed in the framework of requirements for an effective diode-pumped Yb^3＋ laser system. Yb：GdYAB is expected to exhibit the most useful laser properties and to be superior to Yb：YAB crystal that has been excellent self-frequency-doubling crystal at present in many key spectroscopic parameter values.     

Spectroscopic properties of Nd—doped phosphate glass with a high emission cross section

Neodymium doped phosphate glasses have been prepared by the semi-continuous melting technique. Their absorption and emission spectra have been recorded at room temperature. The Judd－Ofelt theory has been applied to evaluate the stimulated emission cross sections of ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition for Nd³⁺. The higher stimulated emission cross section, 4.0×10^-20cm², is obtained. The fluorescence decays of the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition of Nd³⁺ are measured for the samples doped (0.7－10) wt% of Nd₂O₃ at room temperature. The concentration quenching of Nd-doped phosphate glass is mainly attributed to cross-relaxation and energy migration. The site-dependent properties of fluorescence spectra and the fluorescence lifetime of the Nd³⁺-doped phosphate glass (with 2.2wt%Nd₂O₃) are studied using laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing techniques, and the site-to-site variations of optical properties are observed at low temperature.     

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.     

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.     

Tm^3＋-doped Ga2O3-GeO2-Bi2O3-PbO（PbF2） Glasses for 1.47-μm Optical Amplifications

We report the spectroscopic properties and thermal stability of Tm^3＋-doped Ga2O3-GeO2-Bi2O3-PbO（PbF2） glasses for 1.47-μm optical amplifications. Effects of PbF2 doping on the optical properties and thermal stability of Tm^3＋ -doped gallate-germanium-bismuth-lead glass are inestigated. The measured peak wavelength and full width at half-maximum of the fluorescence are 1465nm and - 120 nm, respectively： Siguificant enhancement of the 1.47-μm emission and the lifetime of a a^3H4 level with increasing PbF2 doping have been observed. The presence of GeO2 provides two potentials of increasing the thermal stability and shortening the ultraviolet cutoff band of host glasses.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Preparation and 1.06μm Fluorescence Decay of Nd~(3+)-Doped Glass Ceramics Containing NaYF_4 Nanocrystallites

Considered to be a candidate for large-size bulk materials used in lasers and other fields,Nd~(3+)-doped glass ceramics containing NaYF_4 nanocrystallites are prepared.Using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy,we show that pure cubic NaYF4 is well precipitated in the glass matrix.To obtain the optical property of this material at 1.06 μm,the fluorescence decay of ~4F_(3/2) energy levels is measured and analyzed.It is found that the fluorescence lifetime decreases first and then increases with the increasing dopant concentration due to the existing but finally weakening energy dissipation.As a result,a long radiation lifetime of about 191-444μs is obtained at 1.06μm in the prepared material.It is thus revealed that Nd~(3+)-doped glass ceramic containing NaYF_4 nanocrystallites is a potential candidate as a near-infrared laser material.     

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.     

Spectroscopic properties in Er3＋/yb3＋ Co-doped fluorophosphate glass

Using the technique of high-temperature melting, a new Er3＋/Yb3＋ co-doped fluorophosphate glass was prepared. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in depth. The effect of Er3＋ and Yb3＋ 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 4113/2 level （t-m） of Er3＋ 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 Er3＋ was calculated by the McCumher theory. The spectroscopic properties of Er3＋ ion were compared with those in different glasses. The full width at half maximum and σe 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 characteristics of Yb^3＋：LiLa（WO4）2 crystal

The spectroscopic characterization and fluorescence dynamics of Yb^3＋：LiLa（WO4）2 crystal are investigated. The Yb^3＋：LiLa（W04）2 crystal exhibits a broad absorption and emission spectral bands, large absorption and emission cross sections, and moderate fluorescence lifetime. Blue light emission around 480 nm is observed at 10 K and is demonstrated through cooperative upconversion from the deexcitation of excited Yb^3＋-Yb^3＋ pairs.     

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.