Emission decay and energy transfer in Yb/Tm Y-codoped fibers based on nano-modified glass

•The nano-engineering of the host by Y2O3 doping allows increasing of the energy transfer efficiency.•The luminescence decay kinetics of the Yb/Tm silicate fibers codoped with yttria were measured.•The Yb/Tm silicate fibers codoped with yttria demonstrate energy transfer efficiency of about 50%.•It makes them attractive for diode-pumping of Yb-ions at 975 nm wavelength.

We report the results of an experimental investigation and theoretical analysis of luminescence decay in Yb/Tm Y-codoped fibers based on nano-modified glass. Based on the experimental results, numerical simulations allowed us to estimate the energy transfer efficiency between Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions. It was shown that yttria enhances the Yb/Tm energy transfer making fibers with Y-codoping a promising candidate for the development of light sources for laser applications and up-conversion emitters for visualization applications. These fibers demonstrate energy transfer efficiency of ∼50%, which makes them attractive for diode-pumping of Yb-ions at a wavelength of 975 nm.