Role of Yb(3+) ions on enhanced ~2.9 μm emission from Ho(3+) ions in low phonon oxide glass system

The foremost limitation of an oxide based crystal or glass host to demonstrate mid- infrared emissions is its high phonon energy. It is very difficult to obtain radiative mid-infrared emissions from these hosts which normally relax non-radiatively between closely spaced energy levels of dopant rare earth ions. In this study, an intense mid-infrared emission around 2.9 μm has been perceived from Ho(3+) ions in Yb(3+)/Ho(3+) co-doped oxide based tellurite glass system. This emission intensity has increased many folds upon Yb(3+): 985 nm excitation compared to direct Ho(3+) excitations due to efficient excited state resonant energy transfer through Yb(3+): (2)F(5/2) → Ho(3+): (5)I(5) levels. The effective bandwidth (FWHM) and cross-section (σ(em)) of measured emission at 2.9 μm are assessed to be 180 nm and 9.1 × 10(−21) cm(2) respectively which are comparable to other crystal/glass hosts and even better than ZBLAN fluoride glass host. Hence, this Ho(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped oxide glass system has immense potential for the development of solid state mid-infrared laser sources operating at 2.9 μm region.