Chromium(IV) ions containing novel silicate glasses

Luminescence of approximately 1.3 μm is required in photonics for lasers operating in the near infrared (NIR) region. Luminescent characteristics suitable for this application are exhibited by Cr(IV), but the achievement of chromium in the oxidation state IV in silicate glass appeared to be a rather difficult task. This paper presents our novel approach based on an ion implantation of oxygen ions into specially designed sodium-silicate glasses containing Cr(III) and provides a description of the possible processes involved.