Spectroscopic and energy transfer mechanism of Er3+, Pr3+-codoped ZBYA glass

Absorption spectra, emission spectra and the rate parameters of the energy-exchange processes relevant to the 4I11/2→4I13/2 laser transition in Er3+/Pr3+- codoped ZBYA(ZrF4-BaF2-AlF3-YF3) glass were presented. Intensive 2.7 μm emission was obtained in the codoped glass and the optimized concentration ratio of Pr3+ to Er3+ was found to be 0.1:1. With the presence of Pr3+ ions, the intensities of the green and near-infrared emission were dramatically reduced to 1/15 and 1/21, respectively. The Er3+/Pr3+-codoped sample was found to have higher predicted spontaneous transition probability (16.57%) along with larger calculated emission cross section (14.6×10−21 cm2). These results suggest that the 2.7 μm emission of Er3+ ions could be achieved in ZBYA glass and codoping with Pr3+ could greatly improve the mid-infrared emission performance.