Mid-infrared luminescence of Dy3+-doped Ga2S3–Sb2S3–CsI chalcohalide glasses**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61405080 and 61575086), Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Laser Technology and Emerging Industry, China, and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China.

Abstract

The mid-infrared (MIR) luminescent properties of Dy3+ ions in a new chalcohalide glass host, Ga2S3–Sb2S3–CsI, are investigated; and the suitability of the doped glass for MIR fiber lasers is evaluated. The Dy3+-doped chalcohalide glasses exhibit good thermal stability and intense MIR emissions around 2.96 μm and 4.41 μm. These emissions show quantum efficiencies (η) as high as ∼ 60%, and have relatively large stimulated emission cross sections (σem). The low phonon energy (∼ 307 cm−1) of the host glass accounts for the intense MIR emissions, as well as the high η. These favorable thermal and emission properties make the Dy3+-doped Ga2S3–Sb2S3–CsI glasses promising materials for MIR fiber amplifiers or lasers.