Effect of Ce3+ codoping on Er3+-doped bismuth-germanate glass and fiber under 980 nm excitation

Er3+/Ce3+ codoped bismuth-germanate glasses with the composition of Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3-Na2O were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, upconversion emission and lifetimes of Er3+ ions were measured, and the effects of Ce3+-doping on the spectroscopic properties of 1.53 μm band fluorescence of Er3+ ion were investigated based on the analysis of energy transfer between Er3+ and Ce3+ ions. The results indicate that the 1.53 μm band fluorescence intensity can be improved evidently with the Ce3+-doped concentration under the excitation of 980 nm. Meanwhile, the theoretical simulation based on the population rate equation and light power propagation equation indicates that the C + L band signal gain can also be improved dramatically by introducing Ce3+ ions into the Er3+-doped bismuth-germanate glass fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce Ce3+ ions when Er3+-doped bismuth-germanate glass with low phonon energy is applied to the 1.53 μm band broad Er3+-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA).

Research Highlights
► Ce3+ doping enhances the 4I11/2 level population feeding rate of Er3+-doped bismuth-germanate glass.
► Ce3+ doping improves the 1.53 μm band spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped glass.
► Ce3+ doping improves the signal gain of Er3+-doped bismuth-germanate glass fiber.