Energy transfer in Pr3+/Yb3+ codoped tellurite glasses

Resonant energy transfer between Pr3+ and Yb3+ ions has been studied in tellurite glasses. The energy absorbed by Pr3+ is transferred efficiently to Yb3+, and fluorescence at around 1 μm wavelength is observed. The energy transfer efficiencies for the 3P0 → 3F2 and 1D2 → 1G4 transitions in 0.5 wt% Pr3+–1.0 wt% Yb3+ codoped tellurite glasses are ∼68% and ∼84%, respectively, and the emission intensity of the 1G4 → 3H5 transition of Pr3+ does not show any significant change, due to a possible back transfer energy from the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ to the 1G4 level of Pr3+.