Preparation and spectroscopic properties of Yb-doped and Yb–Al-codoped high silica glasses

Yb-doped and Yb–Al-codoped high silica glasses have been prepared by sintering nanoporous glasses. The absorption, fluorescent spectra and fluorescent lifetimes have been measured and the emission cross-section and minimum pump intensities were calculated. Codoping aluminum ions enhanced the fluorescence intensity of Yb-doped high silica glass obviously. The emission cross-sections of Yb-doped and Yb–Al-codoped high silica glasses were 0.65 and 0.82 pm2, respectively. The results show that Yb–Al-codoped high silica glass has better spectroscopic properties for a laser material. The study of high silica glass doped with ytterbium is helpful for its application in Yb laser systems, especially for high-power and high-repetition lasers.