Enhancement mechanisms of Tm3+-codoping on 2 μm emission in Ho3+ doped fluoroindate glasses under 888 nm laser excitation

Abstract

Ho3+ doped and Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped fluoroindate glass samples were prepared and their emission properties were compared. Under 888 nm laser excitation, the emission at 2 μm of Ho3+ ions with co-doping 2 mol% Tm3+ ions had a 2.9-fold improvement compared with that of Ho3+ doped. The absorption and emission spectra, and energy level lifetime of Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped glass samples were measured to analyze the energy transfer processes and enhancement mechanisms. The luminescence intensity at 2 μm can be greatly increased due to the bidirectional energy transfer between Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions.