Optical properties of Er3+ doped phosphate glasses

Abstract

Er3+-doped Na-Al-Ba-K phosphate glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique. The absorbance spectrum was measured and hence the absorption coefficient, absorption cross-secion were calculated. The emission cross-section has been evaluated using Mc-Cumber theory. The gain has been evaluated as a function of population inversion which show that the amplification action would be achieved around 1596 nm for a population inversion of only 20%. The Judd–Ofelt analysis has been carried out and hence the radiative properties of 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transitions were obtained. Higher radiative lifetime for the 4I13/2level of Er3+ ion has been noticed compared to the other Er3+doped glasses. These results clearly indicate that the present glasses are suitable for laser as well as optical amplifiers around 543 nm and 1522nm.