Dy3+-doped Ga–Sb–S chalcogenide glasses for mid-infrared lasers

Abstract

Novel Ga–Sb–S chalcogenide glasses doped with different amount of Dy3+ ions were prepared. Their thermal stability, optical properties, and mid-infrared (MIR) emission properties were investigated. The glasses show good thermal stability, excellent infrared transparency, very low phonon energy (∼306cm−1), and intense emissions centered at 2.95, 3.59, 4.17 and 4.40μm. Three Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω2=8.51×10−20cm2, Ω4=2.09×10−20cm2, and Ω6=1.60×10−20cm2) are obtained, and the related radiative transition properties are evaluated. The high quantum efficiencies and large stimulated emission cross sections of the MIR emissions (88.10% and 1.11×10−20cm2 for 2.95μm emission, 75.90% and 0.38×10−20cm2 for 4.40μm emission, respectively) in the Dy3+-doped Ga–Sb–S glasses make them promising gain materials for the MIR lasers.