Enhanced broadband NIR emission in glass–ceramic fibers containing Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped YCa₄O(BO₃)₃ disordered nanocrystal

Abstract

Demands are increasing for ultrashort pulse laser in industrial applications, where the gain bandwidth of most optical fiber material is not wide enough, and developing a wide bandwidth gain medium is challenging. Glass-ceramic fibers containing Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped YCa 4 O(BO 3 ) 3 nanocrystals were fabricated by the molten core method and successive heat treatment. After a careful heat treatment, Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped YCa 4 O(BO 3 ) 3 nanocrystals were precipitated in the fiber core. Enhanced broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission from 850 to 1150 nm (bandwidth: ∼252 nm) was obtained in the glass-ceramic fiber compared to that of precursor fiber. These results suggest that the Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ glass-ceramic fibers are promising for broadband NIR optical amplifications and lasers. K E Y W O R D Sbroadband near-infrared luminescence, GC fiber, heat treatment, YCa 4 O(BO 3