Expanding broadband emission in the near-IR via energy transfer between Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped tellurite-glasses

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2014-01, Vol.145, p.787-792
• Main Authors: Rivera, V.A.G., El-Amraoui, Mohammed, Ledemi, Y., Messaddeq, Y., Marega, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bands; Broadband; Broadband emission; Cold working, work hardening; annealing, quenching, tempering, recovery, and recrystallization; textures; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Emission; Energy transfer; Exact sciences and technology; Glass; Luminescence; Materials science; Optical properties; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Physics; Quenching; Telecommunications; Tellurite glass; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.08.071

Processes of energy transfer in Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped tellurite glasses has permitted to obtain an expanding broadband emission in the near-infrared region covering the bands S, C+L and U of the optical telecommunications and extending up to the 1700–1900nm range under excitation by a 976nm laser diode. This widening of the emission band is achieved through an integrated emission, where the Er3+ ions act as donor and the Tm3+ ions as acceptor following the route (Er3+)4I11/2→(Tm3+)3H5, (Er3+)4I13/2→(Tm3+)3H4 and (Er3+)4I13/2→(Tm3+)3F4. The relative intensity emission and lifetime of the 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition of the Er3+ ions decrease with increasing the Tm3+ concentration. Besides, high Tm3+ concentrations produce an emission quenching for the 3H4→3F4 and 3F4→3H6 radiative transitions, due to cross-relaxation between Tm3+ ions. These effects are studied by means of probability and quantum yield of the energy transfer. The most intense and widest emission band is measured in the glass co-doped with 0.075 and 1mol% of Tm2O3 and Er2O3, respectively. •Broadband emission in the near-infrared region covering the bands S, C+L and U of the optical telecommunications.•This widening of the amplification band is achieved through an integrated emission Er3+–Tm3+.•Glass system arises from its potential applications as optical fiber amplifier or laser covering the entire telecommunications window.