The 1.53 μm spectroscopic properties and thermal stability in Er3+/Ce3+ codoped TeO2-WO3-Na2O-Nb2O5 glasses

Er3+/Ce3+ codoped tellurite-based glasses with composition of TeO2-WO3-Na2O-Nb2O5 were prepared by high-temperature melt-quenching technique and a detailed study of the 1.53 μm band spectroscopic properties and thermal stability was presented in this paper. The absorption spectra, visible upconversion spectra, 1.53 μm band fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, Raman spectra, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) curves of glass samples were measured and investigated, together with the quantitative calculations and analyses of Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated emission and absorption cross-sections, amplification quality factors, energy transfer rates and quantum transition efficiencies. It was found that the prepared glass samples have good thermal stability (Tg>425 °C), large Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter (Ω6>0.80×10−20 cm2) and bandwidth quality factor (σep×FWHM>360×10−21 cm2 nm) of Er3+. With the increasing of Ce3+ doped concentration, the visible upconversion emission decreased while the 1.53 μm band fluorescence intensity improved significantly due to the enhanced energy transfer of Er3+:4I11/2+Ce3+:2F5/2→Er3+:4I13/2+Ce3+:2F7/2 owing to the moderate phonon energy (∼930 cm−1) of glass host, which was beneficial in compensating for the existing energy mismatch between the Er3+:4I11/2→4I13/2 emission and Ce3+:2F5/2→2F7/2 absorption transitions. Compared with the Er3+ single-doped case, the 1.53 μm band fluorescence intensity in Er3+/Ce3+ codoped glass sample could increase by about 30%. The results indicate that the prepared tellurite-based glass with a suitable Er3+/Ce3+ codoping concentration is an excellent gain medium applied for broadband EDFA pumped with a 980 nm laser diode.

► Er3+/Ce3+ codoped TeO2-WO3-Na2O-Nb2O5 glass was prepared by melt-quenching method. ► The prepared tellurite-based glass has good thermal stability. ► Er3+ ions in prepared tellurite-based glass have large amplification quality factor. ► 1.53 μm fluorescence intensity of Er3+ improves by about 30% by Er3+/Ce3+ codoping. ► Energy transfer rate between Er3+/Ce3+ and relevant quantum efficiency were evaluated.