Excited state characteristics of the Li2B4O7 and KLiB4O7 glasses activated by Cr3+ ions

Abstract The excited state characteristics by means of the excited state absorption (ESA), optical gain and bleaching spectra have been measured for prototype glasses with Li 2 B 4 O 7 (LBO) and KLiB 4 O 7 (KLBO) compositions activated by Cr 3+ ions. The work addressed to search for novel attractive media for broadband lasers and amplifiers, is a completion of detailed spectroscopic evaluation described in earlier papers. One of the examined materials (KLBO), in accordance with optimistic comments given in previous work, reveals a very broad gain spectrum in the near IR, which itself is interesting in view of very few reports on glasses showing optical gain for Cr 3+ ions in the low-field local environment. The ESA/gain/bleaching spectra, registered with equipment of improved sensitivity, have been reproduced by calculations, and detailed single configuration coordinate diagram, based on experimental data, has been created for interpretation.