Broadband 1.0 µm emission in Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses and fibers for photonic applications

Abstract

In this work, the spectroscopic properties of 1.0 µm emission in Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glasses were systematically investigated under 808 nm excitation. Notably, broadband 1.0 µm emission with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 96 nm was obtained in the phosphate glass doped with 2 mol.% Nd₂O₃ and 1 mol.% Yb₂O₃. In addition, the energy transfer microscopic parameter and transfer efficiency were analyzed. What is more, multimaterial fibers with Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glass core and silicate cladding were successfully drawn by using the molten core method. An intense 1.0 µm amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) can be realized in a 3 cm long multimaterial fiber. More importantly, the FWHM of the ASE can reach as large as 60 nm when excited at 976 nm. These results demonstrate that the Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glasses and fibers are promising gain materials for amplifier and laser applications in photonics.