Tailoring of communication band luminescence for super broadband optical amplifier based on [formula omitted] co-doped nanoporous silica glass

Abstract

We report on a series of Er3+/Yb3+/P5+ co-doped silica glass from nanoporous silica glass based on glass phase separation technology. The optical properties of the Er3+/Yb3+/P5+ co-doped glasses were investigated. Measurements showed that phosphorus can promote energy transfer from Yb3+ ions to Er3+ ions while suppressing the energy transfer from Er3+ ions to Yb3+ ions and efficiently suppressing the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from Yb3+ ions at 1030 nm. Additionally, the luminescence of Er3+ (I413/2→I415/2) was greatly extended under 976 nm laser excitation, and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of Er3+ (I413/2→I415/2) was measured to be up to 72 nm and enables the luminescence peak redshifted. The emission cross section of Er3+ (I413/2→I415/2) was calculated to be 1.6*10−20cm2, one order higher than that of other silica glasses. It is suggested that the Er3+/Yb3+/P5+ co-doped silica glasses based on nanoporous silica glass present great potential for broadband amplification.