Weak clustering and self-quenching in a fluorophosphate glass doped by Yb 3+ and Er 3+ organic precursors

Abstract

The basic limitation for Er-doped glass waveguide development is due to clustering of active ions providing part of the observed self-quenching. We introduce rare-earth-doping by an organic precursor, Er(btfa) 3bipy, with large Er–Er distances instead of those usually found in Er 2O 3. This is shown to allow some reduction of the ion clustering even in multicomponent glasses as demonstrated by the co-operative luminescence signature of Yb 3+ used as a probe. Correlatively, self-quenching of the 1.5 μm transition of Er 3+ is found to be reduced.