Upconversion fluorescence property of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence property of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass under 975 nm LD excitation has been studied. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546 and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2), respectively, were observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546 and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs. The structure of the bismuth-germanium glass has been investigated by peak-deconvolution of FT-Raman spectrum, and the structural information was obtained from the peak wavenumbers. This novel bismuth-germanium glass with low maximum phonon energy (similar to 750 cm(-1)) can be used as potential host material for upconversion lasers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.