Silver nanoparticles enhanced near-infrared luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped multicomponent phosphate glasses

A new way to improve the 1.53 mu m emission in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped multicomponent phosphate glass was demonstrated by introducing silver nanoparticles (NPs) in rare-earth doped glass. The existence of Ag NPs was confirmed by absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The homogeneous distribution of silver NPs could be observed by the TEM images. UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra revealed that the surface plasmon band was centered at about 420 nm. The photoluminescence spectra of glass samples were used to investigate the effect of silver NPs on the fluorescence properties of Er3+. Efficient 1.53 mu m emission was obtained in prepared samples when pumped at 980 nm laser diode (LD). The 1.53 mu m emission intensity could be enhanced 87% by doping 2 mol.% AgCl due to the increased localized field effect in the vicinity of NPs and the possible energy transfer from silver NPs to Er3+ ions. Our present work may point out one way to enhance the gain coefficient of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass fiber.