Broadband infrared emission of Pr3+-doped BiLa2O4.5 phosphor for optical amplifier applications

Today, the development of broadband optical amplifiers for optical communication applications continues to motivate research into rare earth ion (RE)-activated near-infrared (NIR) emissive materials. Pr3+-doped BiLa2O4.5 phosphors were prepared via the facile solid-state reaction. The phase formation, structural charac-teristics, and broadband NIR emission of Pr3+ ions are presented. Unlike commonly reported materials activated by Pr3+ ions, 1320 nm luminescence, that usually applied as an amplifier technology in O-band optical communication, has not been detected in BiLa2-2xPr2xO4.5 (x = 0.005-0.05). However, BiLa2-2xPr2xO4.5 shows a broad 1D2 -> 1G4 emission (1400 nm-1550 nm) extending over the E-, S-, and C- bands in optical communi-cation, and its full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) can reach 143 nm at room temperature. Pr3+-doped BiLa2O4.5 is expected to serve as a potential candidate for amplifier materials in E-and S-band communication system technologies. The quenching of the 1320 nm luminescence in BiLa2-2xPr2xO4.5 was discussed via the energy gap based on the high-energy phonons of the host. The maximum doping concentration to achieve maximum near-infrared luminescence (1400 nm-1550 nm band) in BiLa2-2xPr2xO4.5 is x = 0.03. The concen-tration quenching and luminescence mechanism are discussed via cross-relaxation.

Automated summary

The development of broadband optical amplifiers for optical communication applications drives the research on rare earth ion (RE)-activated near-infrared (NIR) emissive materials. In this study, Pr3+-doped BiLa2O4.5 phosphors were prepared via a solid-state reaction, and their phase formation, structural characteristics, and broadband NIR emission were investigated. It was found that BiLa2-2xPr2xO4.5 exhibited a wide emission band in the E-, S-, and C- bands, making it a potential candidate for amplifier materials in E- and S-band communication system technologies. The quenching mechanism of 1320 nm luminescence and concentration quenching were discussed.