2μm emission performance in Ho3+ doped fluorophosphate glasses sensitized with Er3+ and Tm3+ under 800 nm excitation

The spectroscopic properties and energy transfer mechanisms in Ho3+ doped fluorophosphate glasses sensitized by Er3+ and Tm3+ at the 2 μm region are investigated. The absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra of the Tm–Ho doubly-doped glass system and Er–Tm–Ho triply-doped glass system are measured. According to the absorption spectra, the Judd–Ofelt parameters and spontaneous transition probability are calculated and compared with those of other glass hosts. From the fluorescence spectra, the fluorescence intensity of Er–Tm–Ho glass system at 2.0 μm is 0.95 and larger than that of the Tm–Ho glass system, which is 0.69. Meanwhile, the 2.0 μm to 1.8 μm and 2.0 μm to 1.53 μm peak intensity ratios in the Er–Tm–Ho glass system are 8.63 and 22.79, respectively, suggesting sufficient energy transfer between Er3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions. In addition, the pumping schemes and energy transfer mechanisms of Tm–Ho doubly-doped and Er–Tm–Ho triply-doped glasses are discussed. The study indicates that the Er–Tm–Ho triply-doped glass system is a significant sensitized way pumped at 800 nm in fluorophosphate glasses for 2 μm applications.