Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer process in Er 3+ doped ZrF 4-based fluoride glass for 2.7 μm laser materials

Abstract

Intense 2.7 μm emission from Er 3+ doped in a new type of ZrF 4-based fluoride glass is reported. 2.7 μm emission characteristics and energy transfer process upon excitation of a conventional 980 nm laser diode are investigated. Based on the absorption spectra, the Judd–Ofelt parameters and radiative properties were calculated and compared with those of other glass hosts. The prepared glass possesses higher predicted spontaneous transition probability (29.04 s −1) along with larger calculated emission cross section (9.16 × 10 −21 cm 2). Besides, the energy transfer coefficient of laser upper level ( 4I 11/2) can reach as high as 6.56 × 10 −39 cm 6/s. Hence, these results indicate that this Er 3+ doped ZrF 4-based fluoride glass has potential applications in 2.7 μm laser.