Using a combination of experimental techniques such as optical absorption, Raman scattering, continuous wave and pulse Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), we characterize a set of γ-irradiated Yb(3+) doped silica glass preforms with different contents of phosphorous and aluminum. We demonstrate that when P is introduced in excess compared to Al, nearly no radiodarkening is induced by γ-rays. On the other hand, when Al>P, a large absorption band is induced by radiation. Thermal annealing experiments reveal the correlation between the decrease of the optical absorption band and the decrease of the Al-Oxygen Hole Center (AlOHC) ESR signal, demonstrating the main role of AlOHC defects in the fiber darkening. HYSCORE (HYperfine Sublevel CORElation) pulse-ESR experiments show a high Al-P nuclear spin coupling when P>Al and no coupling when Al>P. This result suggests that both AlOHC and POHC creation is inhibited by Al-O-P linkages. Confronting our data with previous works, we show that the well-known photodarkening process, meaning losses induced by the IR pump, can also be explained in this framework.

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Using a combination of pulse electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence spectroscopy, we demonstrate the major role of phosphorous rather than aluminium in the rare-earth dissolution process, an essential advance in telecommunication and solid laser fields. Our results also provide new insight into the micro-structural origin of the photodarkening process occurring in Yb doped fiber.

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Yb/Al/P-co-doped silica glasses with different P/Al ratios were prepared using the sol-gel method combined with high-temperature sintering. The evolution of composition-dependent color centers caused by X-ray irradiation in these glasses was correlated with their structural changes, which are controlled by the P/Al ratio. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectra have been used to characterize the glass network structure, and advanced pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been employed to study the local coordination atomic structures of Yb ions in pristine glasses as a function of the P/Al ratio. Si- (Si-E'), Al- (Al-E', Al-ODC, AlOHC), P- (P, P, POHC), and Yb-related (Yb) color centers in irradiated glasses have been observed and explained by optical absorption and continuous wave-EPR spectroscopies. The formation mechanisms of these centers, the structural models of glasses, and the relationship between them were proposed. Direct evidence confirms that the formation of Yb ions induced by radiation is highly dependent on the coordination environment of Yb ions in glasses. In addition, the glass network structure significantly affects the generation of oxygen hole color centers (AlOHCs/POHCs) caused by radiation. These results are useful in understanding the microstructural origin and the suppression mechanism of the radiodarkening effect by phosphorus co-doping in Yb-doped silica fibers.

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The reflectance spectra of simple design GaN-based microcavities have been studied in the 5 K–300 K range. The epitaxial structure consists of the silicon substrate and the stack of buffer layers as the back mirror, a GaN active layer, and a 100 Å thick aluminium layer as the top mirror. Active layer thicknesses of λ∕2, λ, or 3λ∕2 were investigated. The samples with GaN thicknesses λ∕2 and λ display an anticrossing behavior between the cavity and exciton modes, with measured Rabi splittings of 47 and 60 meV, respectively, both at 5 K and room temperature.