Mid-IR (3–4 μm) fluorescence and ASE studies in Dy3+ doped tellurite and germanate glasses and a fs laser inscribed waveguide

Abstract

We present the fluorescence spectroscopy of a range of Dy3+ doped tellurite (TeO2) and germanate (GeO2) glasses and compare with Dy3+ doped ZBLAN glass. When excited using an 808 nm laser diode, Dy3+ ions emit radiation at around 3 μm from the 6H13/2→ 6H15/2 (3500 cm−1) energy level transition, which has been exploited in Dy3+ doped fluoride fibre lasers. When Dy3+ is doped into TeO2 and GeO2 based glasses, the fluorescence from the 6H13/2→ 6H15/2 transition is shown to be broader and red-shifted compared to that in ZBLAN glass. Mid-IR ASE from a fs laser inscribed Dy3+ doped tellurite glass waveguide is also presented. The results of Dy3+ mid-IR fluorescence spectroscopy and the potential of oxide glasses as mid-IR sources are discussed.