1.6 μm emission from Pr3+: (3F3,3F4)→3H4 transition in Pr3+- and Pr3+/Er3+-doped selenide glasses

Abstract

1.6 μm emission originated from Pr3+: (3F3,3F4)→3H4 transition in Pr3+- and Pr3+/Er3+-doped selenide glasses were investigated under an optical pump of a conventional 1480 nm laser diode. The measured peak wavelength and full width at half maximum of the fluorescent emission were ∼1650 and >100 nm, respectively. A moderate lifetime of the thermally coupled upper manifolds (∼212±5 μs) together with a high stimulated emission cross section of ∼(3±1)×10−20 cm2 promises to be useful for 1.6 μm band fiber-optic amplifier that can be pumped with an existing high-power laser diode. Codoping of Er3+ significantly enhanced the emission intensity by way of a nonradiative Er3+: 4I13/2→Pr3+: (3F3,3F4) energy transfer.