Comparative investigation on spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ between Ce 3+-doped and B 2O 3-added bismuth glasses

Abstract

The comparative investigation on the spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ in low phonon energy Bi 2O 3–GeO 2–Ga 2O 3–Na 2O glasses codoped with Ce 3+ ion and added with B 2O 3 component, respectively, is presented. With increasing Ce 2O 3 content from 0 to 0.8 mol% or B 2O 3 content from 0 to 15 mol%, the lifetime of Er 3+: 4I 11/2 level decreases dramatically from 607 to 283 μs or to 197 μs, and the upconversion fluorescence is quenched in both glass samples. The nonradiative energy transfer from Er 3+: 4I 11/2→Ce 3+: 2F 5/2 or the enhanced multiphonon relaxation process together with the energy transfer between Er 3+ and OH − groups are, respectively, responsible for the results. Meanwhile, the lifetime of 4I 13/2 level remains almost unchanged in Er 3+/Ce 3+-codoped glasses whereas it decreases rapidly in B 2O 3-added cases. As a result, Er 3+/Ce 3+ codoping improves the 1.5 μm fluorescence emission intensity, however, B 2O 3 addition has a negative effect on it. The research results indicate that the Er 3+/Ce 3+-codoped bismuth glasses will be preferable for obtaining efficient 980 nm pumped EDFA.