Nonlinear optical properties in Pr3+-Er3+-codoped tellurite glasses

Abstract

In this investigation, we systematically probe the structural, optical, and, notably, the nonlinear optical properties of Pr3+-Er3+-codoped tellurite glasses to understand the potential new functionalities of the glass and, thus, their applicability. The glass samples were synthesized employing the melt-quenching technique and subsequently characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and femtosecond (fs) pulse Z-scan measurements at 720 and 750 nm wavelengths. XPS analyses unveiled increased non-bridging oxygens (NBO) with ascending Pr2O3 content. It was observed that the increasing concentrations of Pr3+ ions show a linear dependence with the increase of NBO in the glass network (r2 > 0.95). This trend further supported the formation of Te3+ ions via the oxidation of Te4+ for charge compensation and was affirmed by a decrement in average TeO bond as Pr2O3 concentrations increased. The tellurite glasses showcased positive nonlinear refraction on the nonlinear optical (NLO) front. The rise in n2 values was directly linked to the Pr2O3 content, a phenomenon attributed to the increased presence of non-bridging oxygens and the inherent polarizability of Pr3+ ions. Collectively, our findings offer pivotal insights into the modulation of NLO attributes in Er3+-doped tellurite glasses via Pr3+ ion doping, underscoring their potential in advanced NLO device applications.