The Development of Er³⁺/ Yb³⁺ Co-Doped Li₂O-Bi₂O₃-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ Glass for Laser and Fiber Optics Applications

Abstract

The lithium bismuth aluminum borate glasses doped with Er³⁺ ion (LiBiAlB:Er) were investigated for laser and optical amplifier applications by the Judd–Ofelt and MacCumber theory. The LiBiAlB:Er glass with optimum Er₂O₃ concentration, 1.0 mol%, then was selected to enhance the luminescence properties by co-doping with the Yb³⁺ ion. The Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped glasses (LiBiAlB:ErYb) were prepared and studied in the physical, optical, glass network, absorption, and luminescence properties. The glass density tends to increase with addition of Yb₂O₃ concentration. The FTIR spectra perform the main glass structure which composes of the trigonal BO₃ and tetrahedral BO₄ borate groups mixing with AlO₆ complex. The improvement of absorption coefficient around 977 nm by doping with Yb³⁺ results in the enhancement of Er³⁺ emission intensity at 1536 nm wavelength (⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2). The Yb³⁺→ Er³⁺ energy transfer is a significant factor of luminescence development in LiBiAlB:ErYb glass. The MacCumber analysis confirms the high potential for using LiBiAlB:ErYb glass, with Er₂O₃ 1.0 mol% and Yb₂O₃ 2.0 mol%, as an infrared laser medium and a fiber optics amplifier.

Keywords:

• Erbium
• ytterbium
• glass
• Judd-Ofelt
• McCumber

Acknowledgments

The authors with to thank Center of Excellence in Glass Technology and Materials Science (CEGM) Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University (NPRU) and Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University (MCRU) for facilities in this research.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Budget (Thailand/2019) in project No. 52467.