Mid-infrared emissions of Pr3+-doped GeS2–Ga2S3–CdI2 chalcohalide glasses

•Serial Pr3+-doped GeS2–Ga2S3–CdI2 chalcohalide glasses were synthesized.•∼4.6 μm mid-infrared fluorescence from Pr3+ was observed at room temperature.•The compositional dependence of luminescence properties was studied.•Radiative properties have been determined using the Judd–Ofelt theory.

For elucidation of the glass composition’s influence on the spectroscopic properties in the chalcohalide system and the discovery of a new material for applications in mid-infrared fiber-lasers, a serial Pr3+-doped (100 − x)(0.8GeS2·0.2Ga2S3)xCdI2 (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) chalcohalide glasses were prepared. ∼4.6 μm mid-infrared fluorescence emission from Pr3+ in the sulfide glass is successfully observed at room temperature excited by a 2.01 μm Tm3+:YAG ceramic laser system, and the effective line-width of fluorescence band is 106–227 nm. Intense compositional dependence of mid-infrared emissions is found. The radiative rates of Pr3+ ions in these glasses were calculated by using the Judd–Ofelt theory.

Graphical abstract∼4.6 μm mid-infrared fluorescence emission from Pr3+ in the sulfide glass is successfully observed at room temperature excited by a 2.01 μm Tm3+:YAG ceramic laser system.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide