Spectroscopic properties of GeO 2- and Nb 2O 5-modified tellurite glasses doped with Er 3

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 461; no. 1; pp. 617 - 622
• Main Authors: Zhao, C., Yang, G.F., Zhang, Q.Y., Jiang, Z.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2008
• Subjects: Optical properties; Rare-earth ions; Tellurite glasses; Thermal analysis; Optical properties; Tellurite glasses; Thermal analysis; Rare-earth ions
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.07.072

Er 3+-doped tellurite glasses TeO 2–GeO 2–Nb 2O 5–Na 2O–K 2O–ZnO have been investigated for developing 1.5-μm fiber and planar amplifiers. Effects of GeO 2 and Nb 2O 5 on the thermal stability and optical properties of Er 3+-doped tellurite glasses have been discussed. It is noted that the incorporation of GeO 2 or Nb 2O 5 increases the thermal stability of tellurite glasses significantly. Er 3+-doped GeO 2- and Nb 2O 5-modified tellurite glasses exhibit the stimulated emission cross-section as great as 10.7 × 10 −21 cm 2, which is significantly higher than that of silicate and phosphate glasses. In addition, the intensity of upconversion luminescence of the Er 3+-doped GeO 2- and Nb 2O 5-modified tellurite glasses decreased clearly with increasing GeO 2 or Nb 2O 5 content. As a result, Er 3+-doped tellurite glasses might be a potential candidate for developing laser or optical amplifier devices.