Pr3+-doped ZBLA fluoride glasses for visible laser emission

Praseodymium doped Fluoride glasses were studied in order to fabricate compact solid state laser sources emitting in the visible range for lighting application and for quantum information processing. The objective of this study is focused on red, green and orange emissions. ZBLA bulk glasses (57%ZrF4 – 34%BaF2 – (5 − x)%LaF3 – 4%AlF3 – x%PrF3) have been synthesized under dry argon atmosphere. Physicochemical and optical properties such as density, glass transition temperature, composition, transmission and refractive index have been investigated. Spectroscopic studies have been performed to optimize the rare earth doping level in order to reach the best compromise respecting a good optical quality, a highest lifetime and efficient emission intensity at 635, 605 and 520 nm. Spectroscopic measurements have been carried out on bulk samples with Pr3+ concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 3 mol% and first characterizations of ion exchanged Pr: ZBLA waveguides are reported.

Research highlights
► Pr3+: Fluoride glasses for compact solid state laser sources with red, green and orange emissions.
► Doping concentration for laser applications: 0.5 mol.% of Pr3+ with liefetime about 37 µs.
► Ionic exchange process for waveguide of 3–5 µm thickness and 0.06–0.08 refractive index variation.
► Photolithography process and exchange process leading to channel Pr3+: ZBLA glass waveguides.