Investigation on Er3+/Ho3+ co-doped silicate glass for ~2 µm fiber lasers

A stable Er3+/Ho3+ co-doped lead silicate glass is developed. Luminescent properties are recorded under pumping with 808 and 1550 nm lasers. Energy-transfer mechanism and efficiency are analyzed. Energy-transfer efficiency from Er3+:4I13/2 to Ho3+:5I7 reaches 93.8% at 3 mol% Ho2O3 doping concentration. Strong luminescence is detected when pumped at 1550 nm because of efficient energy transfer from Er3+:4I13/2 to Ho3+:5I7. Peak gain coefficient at 2056 nm is detected as 1.62 cm−1. The excellent luminescent property and high stability indicate that Er3+/Ho3+ co-doped lead silicate glass can be applied in 2 µm fiber lasers.