Main-group Metal Ions doped Materials—A New Developing Direction of Laser Materials

Main-group metal ions will be the third class of active ions, subquent to transition-metal and rare-earth ions. Main-group metal ions doped material is proved to be a new developing direction in the field of laser materials. The developments of main-group metal ions doped materials are summarized on the following topics: (1) the char- acteristics of the near-infrared ultrabroadband luminescence obtained in Bi-doped glasses, glass-fibers and single crystals, (2) the nature of the luminescence; and (3) laser performances of bismuth-doped fiber in various operation modes. The future research directions and applications of main-group metal ions doped laser materials are out- looked. The laser outputs in single crystal will be of milestone significance in its practical application.