Characterization of Er-doped sodium-niobium phosphate glasses

Abstract

Er-doped sodium-niobium phosphate glasses have been produced by the melting technique. Their optical properties have been fully characterized and show a broad fluorescence band around 1.5 micrometers . The fluorescence lifetime of the <SUP>4</SUP>I<SUB>13/2</SUB> metastable state is long enough to make these glasses suitable to be used in optical ampl9ification devices. Waveguides have been produced by diluted Ag<SUP>+</SUP>/Na<SUP>+</SUP> ion exchange and their properties are described here.