Enhancement of the 1.53 μm fluorescence and energy transfer in Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped WO3 modified tellurite-based glass

For the first time, the WO3 oxide with relatively high phonon energy was introduced into the Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped tellurite-based glasses with composition of TeO2-Bi2O3-TiO2 to improve the 1.53 mu m band fluorescence emission. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) curves, Raman spectra, absorption spectra and 1.53 mu m band fluorescence spectra were measured, along with the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated emission and absorption cross-sections, and radiative quantum efficiencies were calculated to evaluate the effects of WO3 amount on the glass structure and spectroscopic properties especially the 1.53 mu m band fluorescence. It is shown that the introduction of an appropriate amount of WO3 oxide can further improve the 1.53 mu m band fluorescence intensity through an enhanced phonon-assisted energy transfer between Er3+/Ce3+ ions and the energy transfer mechanisms between Er3+/Yb3+ (Er3+/Ce3+) ions are investigated quantitatively in detail by calculating energy transfer microparameters and phonon contribution ratios. The results indicate that the prepared Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped tellurite glass with an appropriate amount of WO3 oxide is a potential gain medium applied for the 1.53 mu m band broad and high-gain EDFA. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.