Near infrared spectroscopic investigation of Tm3+–Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses

Abstract The near infrared spectroscopic properties of Tm 3+ −Yb 3+ co-doped tellurite glasses were investigated using a 980 nm laser diode. The 1.81 μm emission corresponding to the 3 F 4 → 3 H 6 transition of Tm 3+ and the 1.02 μm emission of Yb 3+ were recorded at room temperature. The effects of Tm 3+ and Yb 3+ ion concentrations on the emission characteristics and the lifetimes of 1.81 μm and 1.02 μm were also analyzed. These results indicate that the energy transfer occurred between the Yb 3+ and Tm 3+ ions in the co-doped tellurite glasses. The luminescence mechanism in Yb 3+ and Tm 3+ co-doped tellurite glass was also discussed, which is important to develop 1.8 μm fiber lasers or 1.8 μm and 1.465 μm fiber amplifiers.