Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer process in Er3+ doped ZrF4-based fluoride glass for 2.7 μm laser materials

Intense 2.7 mu m emission from Er3+ doped in a new type of ZrF4-based fluoride glass is reported. 2.7 mu m emission characteristics and energy transfer process upon excitation of a conventional 980 nm laser diode are investigated. Based on the absorption spectra, the Judd-Ofelt parameters and radiative properties were calculated and compared with those of other glass hosts. The prepared glass possesses higher predicted spontaneous transition probability (29.04 s(-1)) along with larger calculated emission cross section (9.16 x 10(-2)1 cm(2)). Besides, the energy transfer coefficient of laser upper level (I-4(11/2)) can reach as high as 6.56 x 10(-39) cm(6)/s. Hence, these results indicate that this Er3+ doped ZrF4-based fluoride glass has potential applications in 2.7 mu m laser. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.