Analysis of structure origin and luminescence properties of Yb3+–Er3+ co-doped fluorophosphate glass

•A kind of novel FP glass is prepared.•The structure evolution caused by Yb3+ has been investigated.•The near-infrared luminescence properties evolution caused by Yb3+ has been investigated.•The quenching concentration of Yb3+ as the sensitizer is found in prepared system.•The novel FP glass has good spectroscopic properties.

sThe near infrared luminescence properties of Yb3+–Er3+ co-doped fluorophosphate glasses have been investigated. The various effects on structure and 1.53 μm emission were analyzed as a function of Yb3+ concentration. The energy transfer mechanism was proposed. High measured lifetime (10.75 ms), large effective full widths at half maximum (73.71 nm) and large gain per unit length (62.8 × 10−24 cm2 s) have been achieved in prepared glass. The present glass co-doped with 6 mol% YbF3 and 2 mol% ErF3 showed magnificent luminescence properties for telecommunication application.

Graphical abstractThe luminescence spectra of the Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition of the Yb3+–Er3+ co-doped BEY series glasses as a function of Yb3+ concentration pumped by a 980 nm LD..Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide