Optical properties of Er3+-doped K-Ca-Al fluorophosphate glasses for optical amplification at 1.53 μm

Er3+-doped K-Ca-Al fluorophosphate glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique and their thermal and optical properties were studied. The thermal stability factor was obtained to be 131 degrees C. The gain bandwidth, lifetime and quantum efficiency of the I-4(13/2)-> I-4(15/2) transition were found to be 96.14 x 10(-27) cm(3), 5.41 ms and 61%, respectively for 1.0 mol% Er2O3-doped glass. The quenching concentration has been evaluated (Q = 2.30 mol%) and found to be higher compared to other reported glasses. These results clearly indicate that present glasses are suitable for laser as well as optical amplifiers in the 1.53 mu m region. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America