Er3+-doped fluorozirconate glass modified by PbF2 with high stimulated emission cross-section

Er3+-doped fluoride glass modified by PbF2 is developed. Upon 980 nm laser-diode excitation, intense luminescence emission around 2.71 mu m from the Er3+4I11/2 -> I-4(13/2) transition is observed. On the basis of the Judd-Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters and radiative properties are determined from the absorption and emission spectra. Compared with conventional Er3+-doped fluoride glass (Er:ZBLAN), the proposed glass possesses a large spontaneous emission probability (A(rad), 29.76 s(-1)) and a high stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(em)) at 2.71 mu m (1.25 x 10(-20) cm(2)). In addition, fibers with high strength might be drawn from the glass preform owing to its good chemical stability; therefore, it may be useful for increasing the output power of mid-infrared lasers. The results indicate that the present glass can be a good candidate for mid-infrared fiber lasers. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.