Effect of Yb^3+ concentration on the broadband emission intensity and peak wavelength shift in Yb/Bi ions co-doped silica-based glasses

Abstract

The effect of Yb(3+) concentration on the broadband emission intensity and peak wavelength shift in Yb/Bi ions co-doped silicate glasses is investigated. The optimal Bi(2)O(3) concentration range is about 2.0-2.5 mol% in 65SiO(2)-10Al(2)O(3)-25CaO matrix (SAC glasses). For Yb/Bi codoped SAC glasses, the maximum emission intensity excited by 980 nm LD is ~30 times and 1.5 times higher than that of single Bi-doped SAC glasses excited by 980 nm and 808 nm LD, respectively, the peak emission shows obvious red-shift from 1185 nm to 1235 nm band with the Yb(2)O(3) concentration change from 0 to 3.0 mol%. For the same Yb(2)O(3) concentration in SAC glasses, the measured fluorescence lifetime near 1020 nm of single Yb(3+)-doped glasses is longer than that of Yb/Bi codoping glasses, which implyes the efficient energy transfer from Yb(3+) to Bi(n+) in SAC glasses. The results indicate Yb(2)O(3) can be induced into the bismuth-doped silicate glasses to enhance the emission intensity and control the peak wavelength.