Structural and optical studies of Yb3+, Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses

Phosphate glass samples with various Yb2O3 and Er2O3 contents were synthesized by the conventional melt quenching technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The absorption, emission spectra and fluorescence decay studies were carried out both at low and room temperatures. Results showed the existence of several sites occupied by the rare earth ions in the phosphate glass. Up-conversion and cooperative fluorescence were also discussed.

Graphical abstractUp-conversion of visible emission spectrum under Yb3+ – IR pumping at 968 nm in phosphate glass at RT using time-resolved spectroscopy with a delay of 0 ms for all measurements and visible co-operative emission spectrum on 2%Yb3+ single doped phosphate glass at RT (Yb3+ isolated ions are pumped in the infrared at 968 nm using time-resolved spectroscopy with a delay of 0 ms. The convolution spectrum as signature of Yb3+ pairs has been superimposed at around 500 nm)Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide