Effects of Yb3+ in Er3+/Yb3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

For the Er3+/Yb3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses, Judd-Ofelt theory is used to analyse the influence of YbF3 as not a sensitizer but an average component on the spectroscopic properties around 1530 nm emission. The double roles of Yb3+, as a sensitizer and as an average component, are discussed. It is found that Yb3+ as an average component contributes to the increase of fluorescence lifetime, and Yb3+ as a sensitizer has the best sensitization when its concentration is 2.4 mol%.

Er3+ and Yb3+ codoped phosphate laser glass for high power flashlamp pumping

A novel Vb(3+)-Er-(3+) codoped phosphate glass for high power flashlamp pumping and high repetition rate laser at 1.54 mu m, designated EAT5-2, is developed. The weight-loss rate of is 1.3 x 10(-5) gcm(-2) h(-1) in boiling water, which is comparable to Kigre's QX-Er glass. Some spectroscopic parameters are analysed by Judd-Ofelt theory and McCumber theory The emission cross section is calculated to be 0.73 x 10(-20) cm(2). The thermo-mechanical properties of EAT5-2 are modified after an ion-exchange chemical strengthening process in a KNO3/NaNO3 molten salt bath. The thresholds for optical damage from the flashlamp pumping are tested on glass rods. A repetition rate of 15 Hz is achieved for chemically strengthened glass. The laser experimental results at. 1.54 mu m from flashlamp pumping are also reported.

Intense greeen upconversion luminescence in Er3+: Yb3+ codoped fluorophosphate glass ceramic containing SrTe5O11 nanocrystals

Er3+:Yb3+ codoped tellurite-fluorophosphate (TFP) glass ceramic exhibits much stronger upconversion luminescence. The intensity of the 540 nm green light and 651 nm red light of the TFP glass ceramic is 120 times and 44 times stronger than that of the fluorophospahte (FP) glass, respectively. XRD analysis shows that the nanocrystal in TFP glass ceramic is SrTe5O11. TFP glass ceramic also displays much higher upconversion fluorescence lifetime and crystallization stability. The narrow and strong peak at 540 nm is very ideal for practical upconversion luminescence realization. This work is a new trial for exploring non-PbF2 involved nanocrystal upconversion glass ceramics.

Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters of Er3+ doped mixed alkali aluminophosphate glasses

Lithium sodium mixed alkali aluminophosphate glasses of the composition xNa(2)O-(15-x)Li2O-4B(2)O(3)-11Al(2)O(3)-5BaO-65P(2)O(5) (where x=0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25 and 15 mol%) containing 0.5 mol% Er2O3 were prepared by melt quenching. The absorption spectra of Er3+ were studied from the experimental oscillator strengths and the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were obtained. The variations of Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4) and Omega(6)), experimental oscillator strengths of certain excited states of Er3+ and hypersensitive band positions with different mixed alkali content have been discussed in detail. It was found that there were similar effects of mixed alkali on both Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter 02 and the experimental oscillator strength of the hypersensitive transition, I-4(15/2) -> H-2(11/2). No shifts in the peak wavelength of the studied transitions were found in different glasses. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

Er3+/Yb3+ cocloped fluorophosphate glasses were prepared and their thermal stabilities, Raman spectra, absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra were measured. It is found that proper content of NaF or PbF2 is helpful for the increase of stability against crystallization. The variation of AI(PO3)3 or NaF content in the composition affects not the maximum phonon energy but the phonon density. The introduction of PbF2 decreases the phonon energy slightly. Intense green and red upconversion luminescence was observed for the fluorophosphate glass with low phosphate content. A glass matrix for upconversion luminescence requiring neither expensive raw material nor special atmospheric conditioned preparation is provided. Infrared luminescence around 1530 nm was researched. Fluorophosphate glasses with bandwidth properties and stimulated-emission cross sections better than tellurite, germanate and silicate glasses are obtained. Through the introduction of NaF, the bandwidth properties are decreased. Through the introduction of PbF2 the gain properties are increased. On the whole, it is difficult to obtain a material with the best gain properties and bandwidth properties simultaneously. There should be a compromise between them according to the demand. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of heat treatment on spectroscopic properties of Er3+ in multicomponent ZrF4-ZnF2-AlF3-YF3-MF2 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) based glass

Er3+ doped multicomponent fluoride based glass was prepared. These precursor fluoride glass samples were then heated using different schedules. Crystalline phase particles were successfully precipitated in the multicomponent fluoride glass samples after heat treatment. The influence of heat treatment on the spectroscopic properties of Er3+ in multicomponent fluoride based glass samples were discussed. Small changes of the Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega(i) (i = 2,4,6) were found in multicomponent fluoride glass samples before and after heat treatment compared to oxyfluoride telluride glass. Preparation conditions used to produce transparent multicomponent fluoride glass ceramics doped with rare-earth ions are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influences of radiation trapping on spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped fluorophosphate glasses

Fluorophosphate glasses with different contents of ErF3 were prepared. Due to the radiation trapping of Er, concentration dependence of the fluorescence lifetime is subject to distortion, and the stimulated-emission cross section calculated by the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg equation is underestimated. The influence of radiation trapping on the measured fluorescence lifetime and width are investigated quantitatively. By comparing the intensity ratio of the 1556-1532 nm peak in the fluorescence spectrum with that in the stimulated-emission cross-section spectrum obtained according to the McCumber theory, the distortion ratio of fluorescence spectrum due to radiation trapping is obtained. An empirical way to quantitatively evaluate the influences of radiation trapping on fluorescence lifetime and width is proposed. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.

Ridge optical waveguide in an Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass produced by He+ ion implantation combined with Ar+ ion beam etching

This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of a ridge optical waveguide in an Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass. The He+ ion implantation (at energy of 2.8 MeV) is first applied onto the sample to produce a planar waveguide substrate, and then Ar+ ion beam etching (at energy of 500 eV) is carried out to construct rib stripes on the sample surface that has been deposited by a specially designed photoresist mask. According to a reconstructed refractive index profile of the waveguide cross section, the modal distribution of the waveguide is simulated by applying a computer code based on the beam propagation method, which shows reasonable agreement with the experimentally observed waveguide mode by using the end-face coupling method. Simulation of the incident He ions at 2.8 MeV penetrating into the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass substrate is also performed to provide helpful information on waveguide formation.

Multicolor upconversion of Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics

Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ tricloped oxyfluoride glass ceramics was synthesized in a general way. Under 980 nm LD pumping, intense red, green and blue upconversion was obtained. And with those primary colors, multicolor luminescence was observed in oxyfluoride glass ceramics with various dopant concentrations. The red and green upconversion is consistent with F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) and H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition of Er3+ respectively. While the blue upconversion originates from (1)G(4) -> H-3(6) transition of Tm3+. This is similar to that in Er3+/Yb3+ and/or Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped glass ceramics. However the upconversion of Tm3+ is enhanced by the energy transfer between Er3+ and Tm3+. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

New transparent Er3+-doped oxyfluoride tellurite glass ceramic with improved near infrared and up-conversion fluorescence properties

Transparent glass ceramics have been obtained by nucleation and growth of Y2Te6O15 or Er2Te5O13 cubic phase in a new Er3+-doped oxyfluoride tellurite glass. Effect of beat treatment on absorption spectra, luminescence and up-conversion properties in the oxyfluoride tellurite glass has been investigated. With heat treatment the ultraviolet absorption edge red shifted evidently for the oxyfluoride telluride glass. The near infrared emission that corresponds to Er3+:I-4(13/2)-> I-4(15/2) can be significantly enhanced after heat treatment. Under 980 nm LD pumping, red and green up-conversion intensity of Er3+ in the glass ceramic can be observed much stronger than that in the base glass. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Upconversion properties of Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses emitting blue, green and red upconversion luminescence at 970 nm laser diode excitation were studied. It was shown that Tm3+ behaves as the sensitizer to Er3+ for the green upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm 3+:H-3(4) + Er3+:I-4(15/2) -> Er3+:I-4(9/2) + Tm3+:H-3(6), and for the red upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:F-3(4) + Er3+:I-4(11/2) -> TM3+:H-3(6) + Er3+:4 F-9/2. Moreover, Er3+ acts as quenching center for the blue upconversion luminescence of TM3+. The sensitization of Tm3+ to Er3+ depends on the concentration of Yb3+. The intensity of blue, green and red emissions can be changed by adjusting the concentrations of the three kinds of rare earth ions. This research may provide useful information for the development of high color and spatial resolution devices and white light simulation. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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The upconversion emission of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped phosphate glass with 980 nm excitation was investigated. In the glass Er³⁺ concentration has a great influence on the intensity and the ratio of green and red light upconversion. The slope of the green luminenscence intensity as a function of pumping power ranges from 2.52 to 3.27, is the evidence of the three photon excitation process. The three photon process can also be concluded from excitation spectra when emission wavelength is 545 nm. The effect of Er³⁺ concentration is also discussed.

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2.0 &mu;m spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺/Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺ triply-doped fluorophosphate glasses pumped by 808 nm and the energy transfer mechanisms between the three rare earth ions were investigated. J-O theory was used to calculate the parameters of Ho³⁺ in fluorophosphate glasses. Absorption and emission cross-sections and the gain coefficients were calculated. The obtained lifetime r and spontaneous transition probability Ar of Ho³⁺:⁵I<inf>7</inf> level were 10.64 ms and 93.95 s^-1 respectively. The calculated maximum emission cross-section of 2.0 &mu;m was 9.26&times;10^-21 cm². The energy transfer analysis indicated that the cross-relaxation of Tm³⁺ was important and the resonent energy transfer in Er³⁺&rarrHo³⁺, Tm³⁺&rarrHo³⁺, Er³⁺&rarrTm³⁺&rarrHo³⁺ process was the main channel. The study revealed that the Er³⁺/Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺ triply-doped fluorophosphate glass would be a potential material for 2.0 &mu;m emission because of the efficient sensitization of Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ to Ho³⁺.

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To study the effects of upconversion in Erbium, a set of rate equations that simulates the performance of the passively Q-switched Er:Yb:glass laser with a Co²⁺:MgAl<inf>2</inf>O<inf>4</inf> saturable absorber was set up. The dynamics of the Er³⁺ excited state and the effect of upconversion on the passively Q-switched laser are obtained through numerical simulation of the model. It is found that the impact ratios of upconversion effect on the peak power of the passively Q-switched laser pluse and the repetition rate are both decreased with the increase of pump power.

Optical transitions and upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped halide modified tellurite glasses

Er3+-doped halide modified tellurite glasses were synthesized by conventional melting and quenching method. The Judd-Ofelt analysis was performed on the absorption spectra and the transition probabilities, excited state lifetimes, and the branching ratios were calculated and discussed. The intense infrared and visible fluorescence spectra under 980 nm excitation were obtained. Strong upconversion signal was observed at pumping power as low as 30 mW in the glasses with halide ions. The upconversion mechanisms and power dependent intensities were discussed, which showed two-photon process are involved for the green and red emissions. The decay times of the emitting states and the corresponding quantum efficiency were determined and explained. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.