2.0 μm emission of Ho3+ doped germanosilicate glass sensitized by non-rare-earth ion Bi: A new choice for 2.0 μm laser

Non-rare-earth Bi was firstly used as sensitizer on Ho3+: 2.0 μm emission for its mid-infrared applications in successfully prepared germanosilicate glass under 808 nm excitation. Sensitization mechanism has been analyzed theoretically through matched energy transfer processes based on the measured absorption, fluorescence spectra and calculated luminous parameters. Meanwhile, typical broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission band of Bi ions has also been obtained in present germanosilicate glass, which shifts to a longer wavelength with Ho3+ co-doped owing to the different of Bi-related active centers. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy demonstrated that the addition of Ho3+ lead to the part valence conversion among the mixed-valence state of Bi. All results reveal that Bi/Ho co-doped germanosilicate glass might provide a new choice for 2.0 μm laser applications.