Enhanced 1.53-μm and lowered upconversion luminescence in Er3+-doped Ga2O3-GeO2-Bi2O3-Na2O glass by codoping rare earths

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer (ET) in Ga2O3-GeO2-Bi2O3-Na2O (GGBN, glass doped with Er3+ and rare earths (RE3+; RE3+ = Ce3+ Tb3+ have been investigated. Intense 1.53-mu m emission with the peak emission cross-section achieved to 7.58 x 10(-21) cm(2) from Er3+-doped GGBN glass has been obtained upon excitation at 980 nm. Effects of RE3+ (RE3+ = Ce3+, Tb3+) codoping on the optical properties of Er3+-doped GGBN glass have been investigated and the possible ET mechanisms involved have also been discussed. Significant enhancement of the 1.53 mu m emission intensity and decrease of upconversion (UC) fluorescence with increasing Ce3+ concentration have been observed. The incorporation of Tb3+ into Er3+-doped GGBN glass could significantly decrease the UC emission intensity, but meanwhile decrease the 1.53 mu m emission intensity due to the ET from Er3+-I-4(13/2) to Tb3+-F-7(2). The results indicate that the incorporation of CO into Er3+-doped GGBN glass can effectively improve 1.53-mu m and lower UC luminescence, which makes GGBN glass more attractive for use in C-band optical fiber amplifiers. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.