Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer in Yb3+/Er3+-doped phosphate glasses

The phosphate glasses with high Yb3+/Er3+ dopant were prepared. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were measured, and the emission cross-section for I-4(13/2) --> I-4(15/2) transition of Er3+ was calculated on the basis of McCumber theory. The energy transfer (ET) and the effect of changing concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3- ions on spectroscopic properties were investigated, pumping at 970 nm. The optimizations of Yb2O3 and Er2O3 concentration were found in our glasses. The influence of -OH groups on the ET and the emission at 1.54 mum were also discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.