Mid-infrared emission properties of Pr3+-doped Ge-Sb-Se-Ga-I chalcogenide glasses

Owing to their various emission bands in the mid-IR region, Pr3+ ion-doped materials are expected to be a potential candidate as laser media. In this work, Pr3+ ion-doped Ge22Sb8Se70-2x(GaI)(x) (x = 1-5) chalcogenide glasses were prepared for investigation of the mid-IR spectroscopic properties. The glass structure and the optical, thermal, and luminescent properties were investigated. The 0.2-1.5 mol% Pr3+-doped Ge-Sb-Se-Ga-I bulk glass exhibited intense photoluminescence in the wavelength range of 3.5-5.5 mu m under 1.55 mu m light excitation. By heat treating the precursor glass at 30 degrees C above its glass transition temperature (T-g) for different durations, GeSe2 and Sb2Se3 nanocrystals were precipitated into the glass. After heat treatment, the 3.5-5.5 mu m emission intensity of glass enhanced and reached the maximum after 10 h of heat treatment. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement.