The effect of MnCO(3) on the gain coefficient for the (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) transition of Er(3+) ions and near-infrared emission bandwidth flatness of Er(3+)/Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped barium zinc silicate glasses

The roles of Mn(2+) ions in the MnCO(3) compound, leading to the formation of an Mn(2+)–Yb(3+) dimer and affecting the gain coefficient for the (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) transition of Er(3+) ions and near-infrared (NIR) emission bandwidth flatness of Er(3+)/Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped in SiO(2)–ZnO–BaO (SZB) barium zinc silicate glasses, were investigated in this work. The composition of all elements from the original raw materials that exist in the host glasses was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Under the excitation of a 980 nm laser diode (LD), the NIR emission of Er(3+)/Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-co-doped SZB glasses produced a bandwidth of about 430 nm covering the O, E, and C bands. The effects of Mn(2+) ions and the Mn(2+)–Yb(3+) dimer on the gain coefficient for the (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) transition of Er(3+) ions and bandwidth flatness of NIR emission of Er(3+)/Tm(3+)-co-doped and Er(3+)/Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-co-doped SZB glasses were also assigned. The optimal molar concentration of Mn(2+) ions was determined such that the NIR bandwidth flatness of Er(3+)/Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-co-doped SZB glasses was the flattest. In addition, the role of Mn(2+) ions in reducing the gain coefficient for the (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) transition of Er(3+) ions was also calculated and discussed.