~ 1.2 μm near-infrared emission and gain anticipation in Ho3+ doped heavy-metal gallate glasses

Ho3+-doped low-phonon-energy heavy-metal gallate glasses (LKBPBG) have been prepared and efficient 1.199 μm emission originating from the 5I6 → 5I8 radiative transition has been observed under 900 nm excitation. The spontaneous emission probability and the maximum stimulated emission cross-section were derived to be 294.31 s− 1 and 3.46 × 10− 21 cm2, respectively. The ratio of quantum yields between ~ 1.2 and ~ 2.0 μm emissions was identified to be 16%, demonstrating that the 5I6 → 5I8 transition is favorable for optical amplification. The maximum gain coefficient of 1.84 dB/cm at 1.199 μm wavelength was anticipated in the ideal status. These results indicate that the Ho3+-doped LKBPBG glasses have a promising potential for the development of ~ 1.2 μm signal amplifier devices.