Spectral investigations on Dy3+-doped transparent oxyfluoride glasses and nanocrystalline glass ceramics

Dysprosium-doped oxyfluoride glasses and nanocrystalline glass ceramics have been synthesized and studied by x-ray diffraction, absorption, and visible and near-infrared emission spectra. The samples emit intense white light when populating the 4F(9/2) level with a 451 nm laser light and, from the visible emission spectra, yellow to blue intensity ratios and chromaticity color coordinates have been calculated and their relative variation have been discussed based on the concentration of Dy3+ ions and the heat treatment conditions used to prepare the glass ceramics. Infrared emission has also been observed in glasses and glass ceramics after laser excitation at 800 nm, showing bands at 1.33 and 1.67 mu m, useful for optical amplification in fiber amplifiers. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3021451]