Abstract
This paper deals with broadband near-infrared luminescence properties of lead germanate glass triply doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+. Samples were excited at 800 nm and 975 nm. Their emission intensities and lifetimes depend significantly on Er3+ and Tm3+ concentrations. For samples excited at 800 nm, broadband emissions corresponding to the overlapped 3H4 → 3F4 (Tm3+) and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) transitions centered at 1.45 µm and 1.5 µm was identified. Measurements of decay curves confirm reduction of 3H4 (Tm3+), 2F5/2 (Yb3+) and 4I13/2 (Er3+) luminescence lifetimes and the presence of energy-transfer processes. The maximal spectral bandwidth equal to 269 nm for the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ suggests that our glass co-doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ is a good candidate for broadband near-infrared emission. The energy transfer from 4I13/2 (Er3+) to 3F4 (Tm3+) and cross-relaxation processes are responsible for the enhancement of broadband luminescence near 1.8 µm attributed to the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of thulium ions in lead germanate glass under excitation of Yb3+ ions at 975 nm.
Highlights
Lanthanide triply doped inorganic glass is an excellent candidate for ultra-wide nearinfrared (NIR) luminescence covering the 1200–2100 nm spectral range [1]
Several inorganic glasses were tested to achieve optical amplification covering the S-band (1460–1530 nm), C-band (1530–1565 nm), L-band (1565–1625 nm), and U-band (1625–1675 nm). In this near-infrared range, the spectrum consists of luminescence bands due to characteristic 3H4 → 3F4 (Tm3+) and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) electronic transitions, which are relevant for the design of S-band and C+L-band amplifiers [42]
Lead germanate glass triply doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ has been examined for near-infrared emission applications
Summary
Lanthanide triply doped inorganic glass is an excellent candidate for ultra-wide nearinfrared (NIR) luminescence covering the 1200–2100 nm spectral range [1]. Several different glasses triply doped with lanthanide ions were proposed as efficient systems emitting NIR radiation. From the experimental tests of different glass systems, it can be concluded that low-phonon inorganic glasses triply doped with lanthanide ions are promising for numerous applications in the field of infrared photonics and laser technology such as optical telecommunications, broadband near-infrared fiber amplifiers, solid-state laser sources, and other optoelectronic devices. The concentrations of lanthanide ions (Yb3+, Er3+, Tm3+) and their relative molar ratios should be optimized, and the pump power of the up-conversion process should not be ignored. White up-conversion luminescence of Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ ions in glass [8,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
