YPO4:Pr3+ nanocrystal embedded into an optical fiber

Abstract

Optical fiber with YPO4:Pr3+ nanocrystals (NCs) is presented for the first time using the glass powder - NCs doping method. The method’s advantage is separate preparation of NCs and glass to preserve luminescent and optical properties of NCs once they are incorporated into optical fiber. The YPO4:Pr3+ nanocrystals were synthesized by the solvothermal method, optimized for size (<100 nm), shape, Pr3+ ions concentration (0.2 mol%), and emission lifetime. The core glass was selected from the non-silica P2O5-containing system with refractive index (n = 1.788) close to the NCs (no=1.657, ne=1.838). Optical fiber was drawn by modified powder-in-tube method prior pre-sintering of glass powder - YPO4:Pr3+ (wt. 3%) mixture to form optical fiber preform. Luminescent properties of YPO4:Pr3+ and optical fiber showed their excellent agreement, including sharp Pr3+ emission at 600 nm (1D2-3H4) and 1D2 level lifetime (τ = 156±5 µs) under 488 nm excitation. The distribution of the YPO4:Pr3+ NCs in optical fiber were analyzed by TEM-EDS in the core region (FIB-SEM-prepared). The successful usage of glass powder - NCs doping method was discussed in the aspect of promising properties of the first YPO4:Pr3+ doped optical fiber as a new way to develop active materials for lasing applications, among others.