Super broadband near-infrared emission and energy transfer in Bi–Er co-doped lanthanum aluminosilicate glasses

The Bi–Er co-doped lanthanum aluminosilicate glasses, which exhibited a broadband near-infrared emission, were developed and observed in using the optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra. A super broadband near-infrared emission extending from 1.0 to 1.8 μm with a full-width at half-maximum of 450 nm which covered the whole O, E, S, C and L bands, was observed in Bi–Er co-doped samples under 808 nm excitation, as a result of the overlap of the Bi-related emission band (1270 nm) and the emission from Er3+4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition (1545 nm). This report will discuss about a possible mechanism for energy transfer between Bi-related centers and Er3+ ion.

► Bi/Er co-doped lanthanum aluminosilicate glasses have been developed.
► The NIR emission with a FWHM of 450 was observed under the 808 nm excitation.
► The mechanism of energy transfer between Bi+ and Er3+ was proposed.
► This material provides potential applications in the broadband optical amplifiers.