Efficient ∼4 μm emission from Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluoroindate glass

Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluoroindate (InF3) glasses were prepared by using a traditional melt-quenching method in dry N-2 atmosphere. Pumped by a 976 or 1570 nm laser diode, efficient emissions at similar to 4 mu m were obtained from the Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped glasses, which could be ascribed to the transition F-3(4) -> H-3(6) of Pr3+ ions. The relative stimulated emission cross section was calculated to be similar to 1.44 x 10(-24) m(2) at 4 mu m, which was similar to 4.2 times larger than that of transition Ho3+:I-5(5) -> I-5(6) (3.4 x 10(-25) m(2)). In addition, combined with transitions (1)G(4) -> F-3(3) and (1)G(4) -> F-3(4) of Pr3+ ions, ultra-broadband emission ranging from 2.7 to 4.2 mu m was also obtained. Our results indicate that Pr3+/Yb3+ :InF3 glasses could be used to develop efficient similar to 4 mu m lasers and widely tunable mid-infrared lasers. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America