1.53 μm emission properties in Er3+ doped Y2O3 and Nb2O5 modified germanate glasses for an optical amplifier

Er3+ doped Y2O3 and Nb2O5 modified germanate glasses have been reported which possesses excellent thermal stability. Near infrared emission characteristics upon excitation of a conventional 980 nm laser diode have been investigated. According to absorption spectra and refractive index, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, spontaneous radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes and stimulated emission cross sections have been calculated and discussed. These results indicate that the predicted spontaneous transition probability and emission cross section of Er3+:4I13/2→4I15/2 transition in developed glasses can reach as large as 192.39 s−1 and 7.14×10−21 cm2, respectively. Hence, germanate glasses with superior performances might be a useful material for applications in optical amplifiers around 1.53 μm.