Mid-infrared fluorescence, energy transfer process and rate equation analysis in Er3+ doped germanate glass

Abstract

Er3+ doped Y2O3 and Nb2O5 modified germanate glasses with different Er3+ concentrations were prepared. J-O intensity parameters were computed to estimate the structural changes due to the additions of Y2O3 and Nb2O5. The main mid-infrared spectroscopic features were investigated. To shed light on the observed mid-infrared radiative behavior, 975 nm and 1.53 μm emission spectra along with their decay lifetimes were also discussed. Moreover, the energy transfer processes of 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 level were quantitatively analyzed. In view of the experimental lifetimes, the simplified rate equation was utilized to calculate the energy transfer upconversion processes of upper and lower laser level of 2.7 μm emission. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the observed 2.7 μm fluorescence phenomena. Finally, the stimulated emission and gain cross sections were calculated and the results indicate that Er3+ doped germanate glasses have great potential for mid-infrared application.

R2O3 (R = La, Y) modified erbium activated germanate glasses for mid-infrared 2.7 μm laser materials

“…According to the σ em (λ) and σ abs (λ), the gain spectra (G(λ)) at 2.7 μm can be calculated by the report18. Figure 4 indicates the gain spectra of 2.7 μm of prepared glasses.…”

“…Additionally, germanate glass can be modified by adding or substituting other components such as La 2 O 3 and Y 2 O 3 . The addition of La 2 O 3 is expected to improve glass forming ability, while Y 2 O 3 component is expected to improve thermal stability and further reduce OH − content in glass due to its collection of non-bridging oxygen of glass18.…”

Enhanced emission and spectroscopic properties in oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaOF:Er^3+ nanocrystals

“…Therefore, it is necessary to develop host materials with low phonon energy. So far, various materials have been widely investigated such as tellurite, germanate, fluoride glasses, single-crystals and GCs [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Among these materials mentioned above, GCs are one of the most important optical materials which combine the advantages of both glass (excellent fiber-drawing ability) and nanocrystals (strong crystal field).…”

Investigation of mid-infrared emission characteristics and energy transfer dynamics in Er3+ doped oxyfluoride tellurite glass

“…Many efforts should still be made for practical use. The industrial development of germanate glass for mid-infrared laser is blocked by the drawbacks of high viscosity, high melting temperature and large amount of hydroxyl groups11. Although mid-infrared laser output of Pr 3+ doped chalcogenide glass has been reported, due to its cost and fragility, significant efforts are still in the way to realize high output power in this kind of fiber laser for practical applications1213.…”

“…Additionally, the rate equation analysis is used to calculate 4 I 13/2 state and 4 I 11/2 state energy transfer up-conversion rates as a quantitative explanation for energy transfer dynamics. In our previous work1120, compositional dependence of energy transfer up-conversion rate has been investigated. In this work, we further investigate the Er 3+ concentration dependence of energy transfer up-conversion rate, which sheds lights on elucidating of the concentration quenching mechanism and mid-infrared luminance behaviors for other investigators.…”