Exploring the optical properties of the 1.53 μm emission in Er3+-doped glass, anti-glass and ceramic in TeO2 - Ta2O5 – Bi2O3 system

Abstract

A series of 80TeO2 - 10Ta2O5 – 10Bi2O3 glasses, anti-glasses and ceramics doped with different concentrations of Er₂O₃, ranging from 0.25 % to 2 % mol, were synthesized to explore their structural transformation and optical properties. The maximum solubility of Er₂O₃ was identified at 1.25 % mol, beyond which the glass transitioned from an amorphous to a crystalline structure. The anti-glasses and ceramics obtained from the heat treatment of the parent glasses were also studied to gain insights into their optical properties. This study reveals a direct relationship between Er3+ ions concentration and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of photoluminescence spectra. The increase in Er3+ ions concentration correlates with a rise in FWHM, indicative of spectral broadening. Anti-glass exhibits a higher emission intensity, followed by ceramic and then glass, reflecting their distinct structural properties. Anti-glass doped with 1 % mol Er2O3 shows an FWHM over 130 nm under 578 mW pumping. The lifetime of the excited state 4I13/2 increases with the Er2O3 content in the anti-glass and the ceramic, with a notable decrease at 1 % mol Er2O3 ions for both materials, while in glass, the decrease is observed at 0.5 %. Emission cross-sections decrease with increasing Er3+ ions concentration and power, influenced by factors like thermal effects and saturation. The Judd-Ofelt theory highlights structural differences, with glasses having a more disordered structure and with an increase in the Ω₆ parameter across all materials, implying enhanced electric dipole line strength and spontaneous emission probability with higher Er₂O₃ content. Overall, this comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the optical behavior of Er3+ ions in these materials, essential for applications in laser design and optical amplifiers.