1.5 μm photoluminescence and upconversion photoluminescence in GeGaAsS:Er chalcogenide glass

Abstract

Abstract The paper reports on ≈1.5 μm Stokes photoluminescence (PL) emission and upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) emission in the visible and near-infrared spectral region in Er3+-doped Ge25Ga8As2S65 chalcogenide glasses at pumping wavelengths of 980 and 1550 nm. The ≈1.5 μm PL emission spectra are broadened with increasing concentration of Er ions which is discussed in terms of radiation trapping and UCPL dynamics affecting the Er3+: 4 I 13/2 level lifetime. The UCPL emission was observed at ≈530, ≈550, ≈660, ≈810 and ≈990 nm and its overall intensity as well as red-to-green UCPL emission intensity ratio increases with increasing Er concentration. To explore the UCPL dynamics we measured double logarithmic dependency of green (≈550 nm) and red (≈660 nm) UCPL emission versus pump power at pumping wavelength of 975 nm. Moreover, we measured quadrature frequency resolved spectroscopy (QFRS) on green UCPL emission (≈550 nm) using 975 nm pumping wavelength and various excitation powers. The QFRS spectra on green UCPL were analyzed in term of QFRS transfer function for three-level model from which we deduced energy transfer upconversion rate w 11 (s−1) originating from Er3+: 4 I 11/2, 4 I 11/2→4 F 7/2, 4 I 15/2 transitions.