Comparative investigation on spectroscopic properties of Er3+ between Ce3+-doped and B2O3-added bismuth glasses

The comparative investigation on the spectroscopic properties of Er3+ in low phonon energy Bi2O3–GeO2–Ga2O3–Na2O glasses codoped with Ce3+ ion and added with B2O3 component, respectively, is presented. With increasing Ce2O3 content from 0 to 0.8 mol% or B2O3 content from 0 to 15 mol%, the lifetime of Er3+:4I11/2 level decreases dramatically from 607 to 283 μs or to 197 μs, and the upconversion fluorescence is quenched in both glass samples. The nonradiative energy transfer from Er3+:4I11/2→Ce3+:2F5/2 or the enhanced multiphonon relaxation process together with the energy transfer between Er3+ and OH− groups are, respectively, responsible for the results. Meanwhile, the lifetime of 4I13/2 level remains almost unchanged in Er3+/Ce3+-codoped glasses whereas it decreases rapidly in B2O3-added cases. As a result, Er3+/Ce3+ codoping improves the 1.5 μm fluorescence emission intensity, however, B2O3 addition has a negative effect on it. The research results indicate that the Er3+/Ce3+-codoped bismuth glasses will be preferable for obtaining efficient 980 nm pumped EDFA.