Silver nanoparticles enhanced photoluminescence of Nd3+ doped germanate glasses at 1064 nm

Infrared photoluminescence (PL) properties of PbO-GeO2 glasses containing neodymium ions (Nd3+) and silver nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. The excitation was made with a continuous-wave diode laser operating at 805 nm, in resonance with the Nd3+ transition I-4(9/2) -> F-4(5/2). Growth of similar to 160% in the PL intensity at 1064 nm, was observed in comparison with a reference sample without silver NPs. The PL enhancement is attributed to the increased local-field in the Nd3+ locations nearby the NPs. The present results indicate that PbO-GeO2 glasses containing Nd3+ and silver NPs have good prospect to be used in optical amplifiers at 1064 nm. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.