Enhanced 1.53 μm band fluorescence in Er3+/Ce3+ codoped tellurite glasses containing Ag NPs

The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was introduced into Er3+/Ce3+ codoped tellurite glasses with composition of TeO2-ZnO-La2O3 and the effects of Ag NPs on the 1.53 μm band spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions, structural nature and thermal stability of glass hosts were investigated. The absorption spectra, upconversion emission spectra, 1.53 μm band fluorescence spectra together with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) curves and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image were measured. It was found that the near-spherical shape Ag NPs with average diameter of about 19 nm dispersed uniformly in the glass matrix, and the Er3+/Ce3+ codoped tellurite glasses containing Ag NPs exhibited an obvious enhancement in the 1.53 μm band fluorescence, which is attributed to the intensified local electric field induced by Ag NPs and the possible energy transfer from Ag NPs to Er3+ ions. The enhanced effect of Ag NPs on the 1.53 μm band fluorescence was elucidated by the obtained large Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter Ω6 and the calculated quantum efficiency of Er3+:4I13/2 level. In addition, the thermal stability of prepared glass samples increased with the introduction of Ag NPs and the amorphous structural nature was demonstrated by the measured XRD patterns with no sharp diffraction peak. The present results indicate that the prepared Er3+/Ce3+ codoped tellurite glass with Ag NPs has good prospect as a gain medium applied for 1.53 μm band Er3+-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).