Spectroscopic signature of phosphate crystallization in erbium-doped optical fibre preforms

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 33; no. 6; pp. 835 - 838
• Main Authors: Peretti, R., Jurdyc, A.M., Jacquier, B., Blanc, W., Dussardier, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Crystallization; Erbium; Fibers; Fibres; Luminescence; Optical fibers; Optics; Phosphorus; Physics; Preform of optical fibre; Preforms; Signatures; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Solvation; Spectroscopy; Phosphorus; Silica; Preform of optical fibre; Erbium; Luminescence; Crystallization
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2011.01.005

► In a silica-based fibre preform, erbium ions environment can be crystallized. ► Phosphorus preferentially coordinates to Er 3+ ions to form regular cages around it. ► Er 3+ spectroscopic features are associated to ErPO4 crystallites. In rare-earth-doped silica optical fibres, the homogeneous distribution of amplifying ions and part of their spectroscopic properties are usually improved by adding selected elements, such as phosphorus or aluminum, as structural modifier. In erbium ion (Er 3+) doped fibres, phosphorus preferentially coordinates to Er 3+ ions to form regular solvation shells around it. However, the crystalline structures described in literature never gave particular spectroscopic signature. In this article, we report emission and excitation spectra of Er 3+ in a transparent phosphorus-doped silica fibre preform. The observed line features observed at room and low temperature are attributed to ErPO 4 crystallites.