New fluoride glasses for laser applications

Abstract A new fluoride glass composition revealing a high stability, with a weak nucleation tendency, has been studied. The erbium spectroscopic properties have been investigated in these glasses in order to determine the parameters relevant to the 3 μm 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 laser transition. A Judd–Ofelt analysis was performed to obtain radiative lifetimes and emission cross-sections. Lifetime measurements have also been performed to optimize Er3+ concentration, taking into account the self-terminating behavior of the 3 μm laser transition. Also, Er:ZBLALiP microsphere 1550 nm lasers have been made with pumping by a half fiber taper at 1480 nm.