∼2 µm Luminescence and energy transfer characteristics in Tm3+/Ho3+co-doped silicate glass

•A Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped silicate glass with good thermal stability is prepared.•Efficient ∼2 μm emission is observed under 808 nm laser excitation.•The infrared emission characteristics and energy transfer mechanism are investigated.•The optimized concentration ratio of Tm3+ to Ho3+ is found to be 0.75:0.4.•Energy transfer efficiency from Tm3+ to Ho3+ reaches 88%.

A Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped silicate glass with good thermal stability is prepared by the melt-quenching method. Efficient ∼2 μm emission is observed under 808 nm laser excitation. The infrared emission characteristics and energy transfer mechanism are investigated. To obtain efficient ∼2 μm emission, the optimized concentration ratio of Tm3+ to Ho3+ is found to be 0.75:0.4 in the present silicate glass system. Additionally, the energy transfer between Tm3+ and Ho3+ plays an important role in the luminescence mechanism and energy transfer efficiency from Tm3+ to Ho3+ reaches 88%. The emission property together with good thermal property indicates that Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped silicate glass is a potential kind of laser glass for efficient 2 μm laser.