An investigation of the optical properties of Tb3+-doped phosphate glasses for green fiber laser

Thermal stabilities, absorption spectra, static and transient luminescence spectra, quantum efficiencies were measured and analyzed for the phosphate glasses doped with Tb3+. No fluorescence quenching was observed even when Tb3+ concentration reached 15 mol%. The external quantum efficiency of phosphate glass containing 10 mol% Tb3+ was measured to be 78%, which is the highest up to date compared with other Tb3+-doped materials reported in previous literatures. The large value of ΔT (Tx – Tg) of the glasses was about 340 °C, which guarantees the thermal stability of the glasses against crystallization during the fiber drawing process, and Tb3+-doped phosphate glass fibers have been successfully drawn.

Graphical abstractEmission spectrum of Tb3+-doped phosphate glass and the Tb3+-doped phosphate glass preform and corresponding fiber. Liaolin Zhang et al.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (94 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Tb3+ concentration can be reached to be 20 mol% while without fluorescence quenching. ► The external quantum efficiency of 10 mol% Tb3+-doped phosphate glass was measured to be 78%. ► 5 mol% Tb3+-doped phosphate glass fibers have been successfully drawn.