Influence of Y2O3 Content on Structural, Optical, Spectroscopic, and Laser Properties of Er3+, Yb3+ Co-Doped Phosphate Glasses

Abstract

The influence of the addition of Y₂O₃ on the structural, spectroscopic, and laser properties of newly prepared Er, Yb-doped strontium-sodium phosphate glass was investigated. While the addition of Y₂O₃ has a small influence on the absorption spectra and fluorescence lifetime, it has a strong impact on the emission cross-section and on OH^- content. The glasses were used as the active medium for diode-pumped laser emitting at 1556 nm. The increase in Y₂O₃ content leads to a significant 35% increase in laser slope efficiency up to 10.4%, but at the expense of the substantial reduction of the wavelength tunability from 82 to 54 nm.