Erbium-activated silica xerogels: spectroscopic and optical properties

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 280; no. 1; pp. 261 - 268
• Main Authors: Duverger, C., Montagna, M., Rolli, R., Ronchin, S., Zampedri, L., Fossi, M., Pelli, S., Righini, G.C., Monteil, A., Armellini, C., Ferrari, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; S290; 78.30.Ly; 78.55.Hx; D120; 81.20.Fw; 42.70.Ce; L220; R110; R120; Emission spectrometry; Sol gel process; Optical properties; Activation; Erbium Ions; Raman spectrometry; Xerogel; Lanthanide Ions; Silica; Modified material
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3093(00)00383-5
• ISSN: 0022-3093

Silica-based sol–gel glasses activated by Er 3+ ions are attractive materials for integrated optics (IO) devices such as frequency upconverters and optical amplifiers. Monolithic erbium-activated silica xerogels with erbium content ranging from 0 up to 40 000 ppm were prepared by the sol–gel technique. Samples were densified by thermal treatment in air at 950°C for 120 h. The densification degree and the relative content of hydroxyl groups were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Refractive indices were measured at 632.8 and 543.5 nm by a prism coupling technique. Green to blue and violet upconversion luminescence upon continuous-wave excitation at 514.5 nm was observed for all samples. Emission at 1.5 μm , characteristic of the 4 I 13/2→ 4 I 15/2 transition of Er 3+ ions, was observed at room temperature for all samples upon continuous-wave excitation at 980 nm. For the 5000 Er/Si ppm-doped xerogel, a photoluminescence was observed and a lifetime of 8 ms for the metastable 4 I 13/2 level was measured.