Broadband 1400 nm emission from Ni2+ in zinc-alumino-silicate glass

Broadband near-infrared emission from Ni2+ in zinc-alumino-silicate glass was observed at room temperature. The emission band had a peak at similar to1400 nm with a bandwidth more than 300 nm, and covered the O, E, S, C, and L bands (1260-1625 nm). The emission lifetime was more than 200 mus even at room temperature. The observed near-infrared emission could be attributed to the (3)A(2g)(F-3)-->T-3(1g)(F-3) transition of Ni2+ in octahedral sites. This nickel-doped glass can be expected as an amplification medium for tunable lasers and broadband optical amplifiers for the wavelength division multiplexing transmission system applications. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.