Efficient 1.54-μm emission through Eu2+ sensitization of Er3+ in thin films of Eu2+/Er3+ codoped barium strontium silicate under broad ultraviolet light excitation

Thin films of Eu2+/Er3+ codoped barium strontium silicate were deposited on a thermal oxide Si substrate by magnetron sputtering. Optical properties suggest that after a rapid annealing process, these films can lead to efficient Er3+ emission at 1.54 μm with a lifetime of about 7.9 ms. Intense 1.54-μm light emission was achieved under broad ultraviolet light excitation through efficient energy transfer from Eu2+ to Er3+. These results indicate that the Eu2+/Er3+ thin films have potential applications as low cost and compact erbium doped waveguide amplifiers pumped by LEDs.