Linear and non-linear optical properties of Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped alumino-silicate glass prepared by sol–gel method

We report the investigations of the Yb/Tm co-doped alumino-silicate glass prepared with the sol–gel method for the linear and non-linear optical characteristics. The tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) along with other dopants in appropriate proportion were used to obtain the transparent glass with 0.65 mm thickness. The measured absorbance was used to calculate the Judd–Ofelt parameters. The emission and absorption cross-sections were calculated from the experimental measurements. The glass showed the emission around 1060 nm and 1470 nm after pumping with 980 nm, confirming the energy transfer from Yb ions to Tm ions in the silica glass. We are the first to report the Yb/Tm co-doping in the bulk silicate glass.