Increasing ZnF2 content enhancing the near- and mid-infrared emission in Er3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluorotellurite glasses with decreased hydroxyl

A series of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped 50TeO(2)-(47.5-x)PbF2-xZnF(2)-1.5YbF(3)-1ErF(3) (x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 47.5) oxyfluorotellurite glasses were prepared by melt-quenching method. With the increasing of ZnF2 content, the near- and mid-infrared emission from I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) (1530 nm) and I-4(11/2) -> I-4(13/2) (2700 nm) were enhanced. The absorption, Fourier transmittance infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, the near- and mid-infrared emission spectra were measured, along with the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated absorption and emission cross-sections were calculated to evaluate the effects of ZnF2 content on the properties of the infrared emission spectra. The results of FTIR indicate the increase of ZnF2 content reduces the content of hydroxyl groups substantially and the absorption coefficient of OH- of the as-prepared glasses around 3 mu m decreased dramatically, which is favor of the enhancement of the near- and mid-infrared luminescence. Our results indicate the glass 50TeO(2)-47.5ZnF(2)-1.5YbF(3)-1ErF(3) with low absorption coefficient of OH- (0.72 cm(-1)), large emission cross section (0.692 and 0.528 x 10(-20) cm(2)) for I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) and I-4(11/2) -> I-4(13/2) transitions would be a promising material for the near- and mid-infrared amplifier.