Engineering rare-earth ions doped fluorophosphate glass for 1.47 μm lasers

• A broadband 1.47 μm emission is obtained in Tm3 + and Tm3 +/Ho3 + doped FP glass.
• The prepared glasses have the desired low OH− content and good thermal stability.
• Radiative properties have been determined using Judd–Ofelt theory.
• Energy transfer is analyzed when pumped by conventional 790 nm LD.
• Tm3 +/Ho3 + doped FP glass is a good engineering candidate for 1.47 μm laser.

This work reports the observation of a broadband emission at 1.47 μm from Tm3 + and Tm3 +/Ho3 + doped fluorophosphate glass. Radiative properties were calculated using the Judd–Ofelt theory. It should be noted that the prepared glasses exhibit broad 1.47 μm with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 110–121 nm upon excitation of a conventional 790 nm laser diode. The proper incorporation of Ho3 + into Tm3 +-doped fluorophosphate glass could significantly enhance the 1.47 μm emission intensity. Besides, energy transfer mechanism and microparameters are investigated. Prepared fluorophosphate glasses may be potentially useful engineering materials for 1.47 μm lasers because of their advantageous spectroscopic characteristics and good thermal stability.