NIR to visible upconversion in double – clad optical fiber co-doped with Yb^3+/Ho^3+

Abstract

Spectroscopic properties of a fabricated double – clad, off-set core antimony - germanate optical glass fiber co-doped with Yb3+/Ho3+ has been investigated. Upconversion luminescence of holmium ions at the wavelengths of 549 nm (5S2 (5F4) → 5I8) and 658 nm (5F5 → 5I8) was obtained as a result of the energy transfer between Yb3+ and Ho3+ ions. Glass characterized by highest intensity of upconversion luminescence (1Yb2O3/0.5Ho2O3 mol%) was used as core of double-clad optical fiber. Upconversion amplified spontaneous emission in the fabricated double – clad, off-set core optical fiber was obtained. The intensity emission ratio red (5F5→5I8)/green (5S2 (5F4)→5I8) of the fabricated optical fiber is several times higher than in bulk glass. Reabsorption of the ASE signal along the fiber resulting from Ho3+: 5S2(5F4) → 5I8,5F5 → 5I8 transitions transition was observed.