Pr3+-doped phosphate glasses for fiber amplifiers operating at 1.38-1.53 μm of the fifth optical telecommunication window

Effective near-infrared emission covering the fifth optical telecommunication window (1380-1525 nm) has been observed in Pr3+-doped phosphate (LCBALP) glasses. Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega(2) (9.17 x 10(-20) cm(2)), Omega(4) (16.50 x 10(-20) cm(2),) and Omega(6) (2.41 x 10(-2) cm(2)) indicate a high inversion asymmetrical and strong covalent environment in the optical glasses. The effective bandwidth (Delta lambda(eff)) of the corresponding D-1(2) -> (1)G(4) transition emission is obtained to be 148 nm, and the maximum stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(em)) at 1467.5 nm is derived to be 1.29 x 10(-20) cm(2). The quantum efficiency of Pr3+:D-1(2) level is identified to be 85.36%. The broad effective bandwidth and the large emission cross-section profile indicate that Pr3+-doped LCBALP glass fiber is promising in the realization of effective broadband amplification, especially at E- and S-band. As an expectation, the mature oxide glasses with Pr3+-doping, such as borate, phosphate and silicate glasses, are expected to be attractive candidates for broadband signal amplifiers operating at the fifth optical telecommunication window. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.