Absorption spectra and Raman gain coefficient in near-IR region of Er3+ ions doped TeO2–Nb2O5–Bi2O3–ZnO glasses

Abstract

Abstract Er3+ ions doped TeO2 based glasses were prepared by quenching melting technique. A systematic characterization of glass transition temperature and optical properties of the prepared glass was carried out. The gain cross-section for the Er3+laser transition 4I13/2→4I15/2 was calculated. The results show the TNBZ glass doped with 2000 ppm of Er2O3 had the maximum value of gain cross-section equal to 14.4 cm−1 and large stimulated emission cross-section (1.4×10−20 cm2). The glasses developed here showed the widest bandwidths of gain cross section from 249 to 1106 cm−1. Moreover the Raman gain coefficient of the present glass was obtained from Raman scattering experiments using 532 nm excitation. This composition has also the maximum value of Raman gain coefficient (g=1.4×10−10 m/W) and it has the highest value of full width half maximum (FWHM≈ 380 cm−1). Finally, the structure of the prepared glasses was investigated through deconvolution Raman spectra. The thermal stability and spectroscopic properties indicate that this glass doped with Er3+ is a promising candidate for fiber lasers and Raman gain amplifiers.