Effect of Fluorine Ions on 2.7 μm Emission in Er3+/Nd3+-Codoped Fluorotellurite Glass

Abstract

The 2.7 μm emission properties of Er(3+)/Nd(3+)-codoped fluorotellurite glasses were investigated in the present work. The thermal stability, refractive index, absorption and transmission spectra, and emission spectra were measured and investigated. The 2.7 μm emission in Er(3+)/Nd(3+)-codoped fluorotellurite glasses was enhanced with the increase of fluorine ions. The Judd-Ofelt analysis based on absorption spectra was performed in order to determine the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probability, radiative lifetime and branching ratios of Er(3+):(4)I(11/2) → (4)I(13/2) transition. It is found that the Er(3+)/Nd(3+)-codoped fluorotellurite glass possesses a lower spontaneous transition probability A (58.95 s(-1)) but a higher branching ratio β (15.72%) corresponding to the stimulated emission of Er(3+):(4)I(11/2) → (4)I(13/2) transition. Additionally, the transmittance was also tested and reached a maximum when the molar concentration of ZnF(2) is 15%. The presence of fluorine ions greatly decreases the population of OH(-) groups, which affects the 2.7 μm emission effectively by means of decreasing the rate of energy transfer to impurities (e.g., OH(-) groups).