Broadband near-infrared emission in Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped bismuthate glasses

In this work, we report near infrared emission spectra of Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped Bi2O3–GeO2–Na2O (BGN) glasses with the excitation of 800 nm laser. A broad emission extending from 1300 to 1650 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼160 nm is obtained in a 1.0 wt% Tm2O3 and 0.3 wt% Er2O3 co-doped BGN glass. The energy transfer processes between Tm3+ and Er3+ in BGN glasses are analyzed in detail. The temperature dependence of the broadband emission spectra in Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped BGN glass is also studied. The present work indicates that Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped BGN glasses can be promising materials for broadband light sources and broadband amplifiers for WDM transmission systems.

Room temperature emission spectra of Er3+ singly doped and co-doped with Tm3+ BGN glasses with the excitation of 800 nm laser.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Novel bismuthate glass Bi2O3–GeO2–Na2O (BGN) as Er3+–Tm3+ co-doping host. ▶ A broad emission extending from 1300–1650 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼160 nm is obtained. ▶ The temperature dependence of the broadband emission spectra in Er3+–Tm3+ co-doped BGN glass is analyzed.