Visible laser-induced photosensitive effects in Tb3+-/Ce3+-doped heavy metal glasses for optical waveguide fabrication

Abstract

A rare earth doped heavy metal PbO–Bi2O3–B2O3–CeO2–TbO2 system was fabricated and characterized for waveguide fabrication. A glass host was selected among 11 heavy metal oxides candidates for rare earth doping and photosensitive study in visible range. The influences of rare earth contents on spectral and properties of glasses were investigated. Glass Pb50Bi20B30 + 1 % Tb + 1 % Ce was found to be ideal for laser irradiation multifunctional waveguides material which exhibited good thermal stability, high absorption and big refractive index change (7.9 × 10−3) at 1553 nm after visible laser exposure at 10,000 pulses for 60 s.