Photoluminescence of Ga0.017Ge0.25As0.083S0.65 glasses doped with rare-earth ions

The visible luminescence from Pr3+, Dy3+, Nd3+, Sm3+ and codoped with Ho3+ and Dy3+ ions embedded in Ga0.017Ge0.25As0.063S0.65 glass hosts at room temperature and at T=10 K is reported, when pumping with an Ar+-ion laser at lambda=488 nm. Fluorescence emissions at 1.3 mu m was observed for Dy3+ and both at 1.3 and at 1.5 mu m for Pr3+ doped glasses with wavelength pumping at 950 nm. Energy transfer from Ho3+:F-5(3) level to Dy3+:F-4(9/2) level increase the visible emission efficiency at 650 nm in the codoped glasses. The investigated Ga0.017Ge0.25As0.083S0.65 glasses doped with Pr3+ are promising amplifier materials for 1.3 and 1.5 mu m fiber optic telecommunication windows.