Superbroadband near-IR photoluminescence from Pr3+-doped fluorotellurite glasses

Praseodymium(Pr3+)-doped fluorotellurite glasses were synthesized and broadband photoluminescence (PL) covering a wavelength range from 1.30 to 1.67 mu m was observed under both 488 and 590 nm wavelength excitations. The broadband PL emission is mainly due to the radiative transition from the manifolds Pr3+: D-1(2) to (1)G(4). The PL line-shape, band width, and lifetime were modified by the Pr3+ dopant concentration, and a quantum efficiency as high as 73.7% was achieved with Pr3+ dopant in a low concentration of 0.05 mol%. The good spectroscopic properties were also predicted by the Judd-Ofelt analysis, which indicates a stronger asymmetry and covalent bonding between the Pr3+ sites and the matrix lifgand field. The large stimulated emission cross-section, long measured lifetime, and broad emission bandwidth confirm the potential of the Pr3+-singly doped fluorotellurite glass as broadband luminescence sources for the broadband near-infrared optical amplifications and tunable lasers. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America