Preparation and spectral characteristics of Tm(3+)/Ho(3+) co-doped TeO(2)–B(2)O(3)–BaO glass

TeO–B(2)O(3)–BaO glasses with different compositions were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching technique. The spectral properties of Tm(3+)/Ho(3+) co-doped TeO–B(2)O(3)–BaO glasses with different doping concentrations were studied. In order to analyze the spectroscopic properties in detail, the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, spontaneous radiative probabilities, branching ratios, absorption and emission cross-sections, and gain coefficient spectra were calculated using Judd–Ofelt and McCumber theory based on the absorption and emission spectra. Meanwhile, the optimal doping concentration was determined as Tm(2)O(3): 1.0 mol% and Ho(2)O(3): 1.0 mol%. The results show that Tm(3+)/Ho(3+) co-doped TeO–B(2)O(3)–BaO glass is an ideal mid-infrared laser gain medium.