Compositional effects of Na2O, GeO2, and Bi2O3 on 1.8 μm spectroscopic properties of Tm3+ doped zinc tellurite glasses

Compositional effects of Na2O, GeO2, and Bi2O3 on 1.8 mu m spectroscopic properties have been investigated to enhance 1.8 mu m emission in Tm3+ doped zinc tellurite glasses. It is found that the heightened impact of Bi2O3 on 1.8 mu m emission is more prominent than that of Na2O and GeO2. Furthermore, the partial substitution of Bi2O3 makes the lifetime of Tm3+: F-3(4) level increase from 547 mu s to 671 mu s while Na2O and GeO2. have almost no effect on the lifetime. Relative energy transfer mechanism is analyzed and absorption and emission cross sections of the Tm3+:F-3(4) -> H-3(6) transition are determined. The changes in density, refractive index, and thermal properties are also observed with the partial substitution of these compositions for ZnO. Especially, the glass thermal stability is obviously improved after the partial substitution. These results indicate that Tm3+ doped zinc tellurite glasses containing Bi2O3 appear to be an excellent host material to achieve 2.0 mu m laser.