Absorption spectra and Raman gain coefficient in near-IR region of Er3+ ions doped TeO2–Nb2O5–Bi2O3–ZnO glasses

• The glasses TNBZ- 2000 ppm Er has large stimulated emission cross-section equal (1.4×10−20 cm2)
• It has Raman gain coefficient (g=1.4×10−10 m/W).
• The glasses developed here showed the widest bandwidths of gain cross section from 249 to 1106 cm−1

Er3+ ions doped TeO2 based glasses were prepared by quenching melting technique. A systematic characterization of glass transition temperature and optical properties of the prepared glass was carried out. The gain cross-section for the Er3+laser transition 4I13/2→4I15/2 was calculated. The results show the TNBZ glass doped with 2000 ppm of Er2O3 had the maximum value of gain cross-section equal to 14.4 cm−1 and large stimulated emission cross-section (1.4×10−20 cm2). The glasses developed here showed the widest bandwidths of gain cross section from 249 to 1106 cm−1. Moreover the Raman gain coefficient of the present glass was obtained from Raman scattering experiments using 532 nm excitation.This composition has also the maximum value of Raman gain coefficient (g=1.4×10−10 m/W) and it has the highest value of full width half maximum (FWHM≈ 380 cm−1). Finally, the structure of the prepared glasses was investigated through deconvolution Raman spectra. The thermal stability and spectroscopic properties indicate that this glass doped with Er3+ is a promising candidate for fiber lasers and Raman gain amplifiers.