Effect of sensitizers on the optical properties of Er/sup 3+/ ions in erbium glass lasers

Abstract

Two different host glasses for Er/sup 3+/, namely, phosphate and borate glasses were prepared. Yb/sup 3+/ was added as a sensitizer to investigate its effect on the absorption, emission, gain cross sections as well as threshold pumping intensity for generation of laser radiation. Another sensitizer, Cr/sup 3+/, was added to Er/sup 3+/. The enhancement of absorption and emission of Er/sup 3+/ were investigated, in addition, the energy transfer efficiency from Cr/sup 3+/ to Er/sup 3+/ was determined from the emission of Cr/sup 3+/. The threshold, intensity for Er/sup 3+/ laser at 1543 nm is reduced to about 54 times using Yb/sup 3+/ as a sensitizer.