Spectroscopic and energy transfer studies of Er3+ ions in B2O3–TeO2–MgO–ZnO glasses

Abstract

Composition dependent spectroscopic behavior of Er3+ doped telluroborate glasses were prepared and the energy transfer mechanism in Er3+ ions were investigated for 1.532 µm amplification. The emission cross-section and gain coefficient for 4I13/2→4I15/2 level of Er3+ ions have been analysed through the Judd-Ofelt and McCumber theory. The excited state decay curves were measured and the effect of TeO2 on the lifetime for 4I13/2→4I15/2 level of Er3+ ions has been associated with the various energy transfer mechanism. Further the interaction between Er3+ and OH− were investigated and it was confirmed that the OH free radicals in the prepared glasses are dominant quenching center through the non-radiative relaxation that causes the quenching of 1.532 µm amplification. The non-radiative rate through the OH content were calculated and compared with the reported Er3+ doped glasses.