Optical Spectroscopy of Er^3＋ and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ Co-doped Bi2O3-GeO2-B2O3-ZnO Glasses

The （60 - x）Bi2O3 - xGeO2-30B2O3-10ZnO （x = 5, 10, 20, 30 molar percent） glasses doped with Er^3＋ and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ were fabricated using the melting method. The thermal stability of the glasses was studied with their DTA curves. The results show that the difference between the glass transition temperature and the crystallization onset temperature increases with the increase of GeO2 content, indicating that the thermal stability of the glass has become better. The absorption spectra were recorded and the stimulated emission cross sections were calculated using the McCumber theory. The Ω2, O4, and Ω6 parameters,the transition probability, the radiative lifetime, and the fluorescence branch ratio of Er^3＋ for optical transition were calculated from their absorption spectra in terms of reduced matrix U^（t）（λ = 2, 4, 6） character for optical transitions. The infrared emission of Er^3＋ was measured upon excitation with 970 nm light and the full width at half-maximum （FWHM） was estimated from the emission spectra. The pumping efficiency and the intensity of the emission at the 1.54 μm band of Er^3＋ were enhanced considerably by co-doping Yb^3＋ .     

Structure Property and Visible Upconversion of Er^3＋ Doped Gd2O3 Nanocrystals

Gd2O3:Er nanoparticles were prepared by a simple sol-gel method, The structure properties ot Gd2O3:Er were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The visible up-converted luminescence spectra of Er^3 were investigated under excitation to ^4I9/2 level by 785nm laser. Laser power, Er^3 ion concentration and temperature dependences of the upconverted emissions were investigated to understand the upconversion mechanisms. Excited state absorption and energy transfer process are discussed as the possible mechanisms for the upconversion.     

Investigation on Preparation and Fluorescence Properties of Oxy-Fluoride Glass Co-Doped with Er^3＋ and Yb^3＋

The glass sample based on the composition of 45PbF2-45GeO2-10WO3 co-doped with Yb^3 /Er^3 was prepared by the fusion method in two steps : melted at 950℃ for 20～25min then annealed at 380℃ for 4 h. Through the V-prism it is found that the refractive index of host glass and the sample are 1.517 and 1.65 respectively. The transmittance was observed by using the ultraviolet-visible-infrared spectrometer in the wavelength range from 0.35 to 2.5μm. The transmittance of the host glass is beyond 73%. That of the sample is beyond 50% and there are characteristic absorption peaks of rare-earth ions. The emission spectrum was measured by using the Hitachi F-4500 fluorescent spectrometer pumped by 980nm semiconductor laser. There are a strong emission peak at 530 nm and a weak peak at 650 nm.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Er^3＋-Doped TeO2-WO3-ZnO-ZnF2 Glasses

The Er^3 -doped TeO2-WO3-ZnO-ZnF2(TWZOF) glasses were prepared. The absorption spectra, 1.5μm emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of Er^3 , excited at 970nm, were measured. The J-O parameters Ωt(t=2, 4, 6), absorption and emission cross-sections were calculated. The dependence of the 1.5μm emission intensity, fluorescence lifetime and bandwidth of the Er^3 emission upon the contents of ZnF2 in glass were investigated. In TWZOF glass, Er^3 ions had a broad emission profile around 1.5μm with the maximum FWHM of 83nm. With the increasing of the content of ZnF2, the emission intensity at peak wavelength and the fluorescence lifetime of Er^3 at 1.5μm increase.     

Spectroscopic Properties and Judd-Ofelt Theory Analysis of Er^3＋-Doped Heavy Metal Oxyfluoride Silicate Glass

Er^3 -doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass was fabricated and characterized, and the absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of the glass were studied. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt(t=2, 4, 6), spontaneous transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and radiative lifetime of each energy levels for Er^3 were calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory, and stimulated emission cross-section of ^4I13/2→^4I15/2 transition was calculated by McCumber theory. The results show that fluorescence full width at half maximum and stimulated emission cross-section of Er^3 -doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass are broad and large, respectively. Compared with other host glasses, the gain bandwidth property of Er^3 -doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass is close to those of tellurite and bismuth glasses, and has advantage over those of silicate, phosphate and germante glasses.     

Fabrication and gain performance of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋-codoped tellurite glass fiber

Er^3＋/Yb^3＋-codoped TeO2-ZnO-BaO-La2O3 tellurite glass fiber was fabricated by rotation and rod-in-tube technologies. The thermal stability and optical refractive index of the core and cladding glasses were determined by DTA and optical coupler, respectively. The average background loss of tellurite glass fiber was 1.8 dB/m at 1310 nm. Optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM） were used to study structural characteristics of preforms and optical fibers. The main loss of tellurite glass fiber could be attributed to scatter centre due to core-cladding interface defects. The amplifier performance of tellurite glass fiber was investigated by pumping with 980 nm laser diode （LD）. The gain coefficient and maximum signal gain were 0.21 dB/mW and 10 dB, respectively, for a pumping power of 120 mW. Gains exceeding 5 dB were obtained over 30 nm bandwidth from 1535 to 1565 nm. The minimum noise figure was 4.8 dB at 1557 nm.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Er^3＋-Doped Gadolinium Borosilicate Glasses

Er3 -doped Gd2 O3 -SiO2 -B2 O3 -Na2O glasses were prepared, and formation range of glass of Gd2 O3 -SiO2 -B2O3 system was experimentally obtained. It is found that the glass phase can be formed only when the content of SiO2 is 0～50%(molar fraction), Gd2O3 is 0～30%(molar fraction) and B2 O3 is above 20%(molar fraction) in this glass system. The glass can also be obtained but becomes translucent at the contents of 60%(molar fraction) SiO2 and 30% Gd2O3 , or at the contents of 60%(molar fraction) SiO2 and 30%(molar fraction) B2O3. There is no glass phase formed in other glass components. Glass forming ability for Gd2O3 content of 10%, was characterized by the value of β, the parameter of crystallization tendency, which is 0.32～1.76, obtained from the differential thermal analysis. The absorption and emission cross section, the J-O parameters Ωt(2,4,6) and radiative transition probabilities were calculated by using the theory of McCumber and Judd-Ofelt. The emission properties at 1.5 μm of the samples are discussed with the product of full width at half maximum and stimulated emission cross section. It can be seen that the value of the FWHM×σepeak product in the prepared glass is more than those of germanate, silicate and phosphate glasses. Furthermore, the maximum value of the product among these glasses reported in this work is close to that of oxyfluoride silicate glass. Therefore, the Er3 -doped gadolinium borosilicate glass in this paper is a candidate for broadband erbium doped fiber amplifiers.     

Tm^3＋-doped tellurite glass with Yb^3＋ energy sensitized for broadband amplifier at 1400-1700 nm bands

A kind of novel experiment was disclosed as it possessed two bands of fluorescence emission at 1.4 and 1.6 μm, which were perfectly complimentary to the current C band of optic communication. The fluorescence was based on energy transfer and up-conversion processes between Tm^3＋ and Yb^3＋ under direct pumping of 975 nm LD. The spectra and lifetimes of Tm^3＋ fluorescence in the tellurite glass were described. The corresponding fluorescence characteristics and energy migration process were analyzed by the method of lifetime and intensity comparison. The mechanism of the up-conversion based IR fluorescence was presented upon analyzing the multi-photon pumping process. The potential advantages of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped tellurite glass as amplifier material were concluded.     

Highly Er^3 ＋／Yb^3＋ Co-Doped Fluoroaluminate Glasses for Microchip Laser at 1.54μm

A series of highly Er^3 /Yb^3 co-doped fluoroaluminate glasses were investigated in order to develop a microchip laser at 1.54μm under 980nm excitation. Measurements of absorption, emission and up-conversion spectra were performed to examine the effect of concentration quenching on spectroscopic properties. In the glasses with Er^3 concentrations below 10% (mol fraction), concentration quenching is low and the Er^3 /Yb^3 co-doped fluoroaluminate glasses gave stronger fluorescence of 1.54μm from the 4113/2→^4I15/2 transition than those of Er^3 singly-doped glasses. In the glass with Er^3 concentrations above 10%, concentration quenching of 1.54μm obviously occurs more than that of the Er^3 singly-doped samples because of the back energy-transfer from Er^3 to Yb^3 . To obtain the highest emission efficien-cy at 1.54μm, the optimum doping-concentration ratio of Er^3 /Yb^3 is found to be approximately 1 : 1 in mol fraction when the Er^3 concentration is less than 10%.     

Energy transfer between Gd^3＋ and Tb^3＋ in phosphate glass

The phosphate glass doped with Gd3+,Tb3+ and Gd3+/Tb3+ were prepared by high temperature melting.The photo-luminescence behavior of Gd3+ and Tb3+ in phosphate glass were investigated by absorption,excitation,and emission spectroscopy.Energy transfer between Gd3+ and Tb3+ in phosphate glass was studied,and it was found that there were two energy transfer mechanisms between Gd3+ and Tb3+ in phosphate glass: one was from 4f7 level of Gd3+ to the 4f8 level of Tb3+,and the other was from 5d level of Tb3+ to 4f7 level of Gd3+.The new findings would be beneficial for the study of Tb3+-doped scintillating phosphate glass.     

Preparation and upconversion luminescence of monodisperse Gd2O3：Ho^3＋,Yb^3＋ nanocrystals

Gd2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals were synthesized via solvothermal method.X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),absorption and upconversion spectra were employed to characterize the synthesized nanocrystals.The results of XRD and TEM showed that obtained Gd2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals were cubic in crystal structure and uniform spherical in morphology.The average crystallite size was calculated to be 7.5 nm.Green and red up-conversion emissions corresponding to(5F4,5S2)→5I8 and 5F5 → 5I8 transition were observed upon 980 nm excitation at room temperature.The results indicated that both green and red luminescence were based on the two-photon processes.Laser power and doping concentration dependence of the upconverted emissions were studied to understand the upconversion mechanisms.Excited state absorption and energy-transfer processes were discussed as the possible mechanisms for the visible emissions.     

Investigation on Structures and Properties of Yb3＋-Doped Laser Glasses

The Yb3^＋ -doped silicate, phosphate and borophosphate laser glasses were prepared by means of conventional melt quenching technology. The physical and spectral properties of the glasses were investigated. The results show that, due to the existence of OH^-, the fluorescence lifetime of phosphate glass is shorter than that of silicate glass, so silicate glass has better spectral properties than phosphate glass. Silicate glass has better mechanical and thermal properties than phosphate glass, but with the addition of B2O3, mechanical and thermal properties of phosphate glass are improved greatly without fluorescence quenching effect. This kind of borophosphate glass can be used in high average power solid state lasers.     

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y3Al5O12 ： Yb^3＋ , Er^3＋ Trapsparent Ceramics

YAG： 1% （atom fraction） Yb^3＋ , 0.5% （atom fraction） Er3＋ transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 of Er^3＋ ions, respectively.     

Growth and Spectral Properties of Crystal Er^3＋ ：Y0.5Gd0.5VO4

Er^3＋ ：Y0.5Gd0.5VO4 crystal with good optical quality was grown by Czochraski method. The structure of the crystal was determined by X-ray powder diffraction method. The segregation coefficient of Er^3 ＋ ions in the crystal was measured by the ICP method. The absorption and emission spectra were also measured. On the basis of the spectra, the absorption cross-sections, emission spectrum FWHM and fluorescence lifetime of the crystal were calculated. From the properties mentioned above.     

Upconversion Emission in Er^3＋ Doped Novel Bismuthate Glass

Novel Er3 -doped bismuth lead strontiam glass was fabricated and characterized, and the absorption spectrum and upconversion spectrum of the glass were studied. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt (t=2, 4, 6) were found to be Ω2＝3.27×10-20 cm2, Ω4＝1.15×10-20 cm2, and Ω6＝0.38×10-20 cm2. The oscillator strength, the spontaneous transition probabilities, the fluorescence branching ratios, and excited state lifetimes were also measured and calculated. The upconversion emission intensity varies with the power of infrared excitation intensity. A plot of log Iup vs log IIR yields a straight line with slope 1.86, 1.88 and 1.85, corresponding to 525, 546, and 657 nm emission bands, respectively, which indicates that a two-photon process for the red and green emission.     

Solvothermal fabrication and luminescent properties of Eu2＋/Ce3＋ doped barium lithium fluoride

Phosphors of BaLiF3 doped with Eu or/and Ce were solvothermally prepared at 200°C for 5d and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The excitation and emission spectra of the rare earth ions doped BaLiF3 were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy and the effects of Ce3+ ions on the luminescence of Eu2+ ions were investigated. In the codoped Eu2+ and Ce3+ system, the emission intensity of Eu2+ ion gradually increased with the Ce3+ concentration increasing, and the enhancement of Eu2+ fluorescence was due to efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu2+ in the host.     

Site Selective Excitation and Energy Transfer in LiKGdF5 Crystal Co-doped with Er^3＋ and Tb^3＋

Crystals of LiKGdF5:Er^3 , Tb^3 grown by the hydrothermal synthesis technique with concentrations of 2% and 0.4% were analysed. By using site selective excitation measured at low temperature, luminescence and excitation spectra from Er^3 and Tb^3 ions embedded in LiKGdF5 were clearly separated. The lifetimes of the emitting levels ^4S3/2 of Er^3 and ^5D4 of Tb^3 were also determined. Following the site selective spectroscopy study, the dominant energy transfer process from Tb^3 to Er^3 in the crystal was then investigated via transient experiments.     

Influence of B2O3 on Spectroscopic Properties of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ Co-Doped Tungsten-Tellurite Glasses

A series of novel Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped （85- x ） TeO2-15WO3-xB2O3 （TWB;x=2%,5%,8%（mole fraction） ） glasses were prepared. Influence of B203 on the spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped tungsten-tellurite glasses were investigated. It is found that the intensity of 1.5μm fluorescence, lifetime of the ^4I13/2 level and upconversion fluorescence all decrease with the increase of B2O3 content. The product of full width at half maximum （FWHM） and stimulated emission cross-section （σe^peak） of Er^3＋ ：^4I13/2→^4I15/2 transition has an optimum when B203 is 5% （mole fraction）. The emission spectra of Er^3＋ ： ^4I13/2→^4I15/2 transition was analyzed using peak-fit routine, and an equivalent four-level system was proposed to estimate the stark splitting for the 411512 and ^4I13/2 levels of Er^3＋ ions in TWB glasses at room temperature.     

Kinetics of Fluorescence Decay in Er^3＋ ：YAG under 408.6 nm Excitation

The violet and green fluorescence spectra and the kinetics of fluorescence decay in Er^3＋ ：YAG crystal under 408.6 nm excitation were investigated by the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. The influence of multiphonon and energy transfer on the fluorescence decay of the ^4S3/2 rnultiplet were theoretically analyzed. A good agreement of the measured and the simulated decay curves was achieved. The continuous profile variety of the decay curves in the region from 548 to 561.2 nrn is found and it originates from the fluorescence overlap of ^2G9/2 and ^4S3/2 and the intensity ratio dominates the profile.     

Structure and Waveguide Properties of Sol-Gel Derived Gd2O3 Films

Pure and rare earth doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) waveguide films were prepared by a simple sol-gel process and dip-coating method. Structure of Gd2O3 films annealed at different temperature was investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Oriented growth of (400) face of Gd2O3 has been observed when the films were deposited on amorphous substrate. The refractive index and thickness of films were determined by m-lines spectroscopy. The laser beam (λ= 632.8 nm) was coupled into the film by a prism coupler and the propagation length is about 3.5 cm. Luminescence properties of europium ions doped films were measured by waveguide fluorescence spectroscopy, which shows disordered environment for Eu^3 at 400℃.