Tm3+ and Tm3+–Ho3+ doped fluorogermanate glasses for S-band amplifiers

Abstract Two series of glasses with composition (mol%) 70PbGeO3–15PbF2–15CdF2, the first one with different Tm3+ contents (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mol%) and the second one with 0.2 mol% Tm3+ and different Ho3+ contents (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mol%), have been prepared and some of their spectroscopic properties studied. Absorption in the visible-near infrared and emission in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum have been obtained. Concerning emission at the 1.4–1.5 μm region, optimization of rare earth ions content leads to 0.2 and 0.5 mol% for Tm3+ and Ho3+, respectively. We discuss potential application of these compositions.