Enhanced luminescence at 2.88 and 2.04 μm from Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped low phonon energy TeO2–TiO2–La2O3 glass

The high phonon energy and short infrared cut-off wavelength of conventional oxide glass (or crystal) hosts are the limitations to achieve mid-infrared (MIR, λ≥2.5μm) luminescence. In present study, the luminescence performance of low phonon and non-conventional TeO2-TiO2-La2O3-based glass (TTL) host doped with Ho3+ and Ho3+/Yb3+ has been investigated, for visible to MIR range. The MIR emission band with peak at 2.88μm (Ho3+:5I6→5I7) and NIR band at 2.04μm (Ho3+:5I7→5I8) has been realized from Ho3+ singly doped TTL glass due to low phonon energy and extended transmission window of the host. Intensity of MIR and NIR emission bands have enhanced significantly in Ho3+/Yb3+: TTL glass under Yb3+ excitation, signifying an efficient Yb3+→Ho3+ energy transfer. The Judd-Ofelt analysis, on Ho3+ absorption characteristics reveals relatively better radiative transition probability (34.4s−1) and branching ratio (10.5%), which is associated to Ho3+:5I6→5I7 transition. The effective bandwidth of 2.88μm emission band is 180nm, with stimulated emission cross-section is 4.26×10-21cm2 and its gain bandwidth has been evaluated as 7.67×10-26cm3. For 2.04μm (Ho3+:5I7→5I8) emission band, the effective bandwidth of 160.5nm and gain bandwidth of 7.26×10-26cm3 have been accomplished. The non-resonant Förster-Dexter method has been applied to Ho3+/Yb3+: TTL glass on emission (donor, Yb3+) and absorption (acceptor, Ho3+) cross sections. The evaluated donor-donor (CDD) and donor-acceptor (CDA) energy transfer micro-parameters are 1.02×10-38 and 5.88×10-41cm6/s respectively while, maximum energy transfer efficiency has been 80%. In concise, Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped TeO2–TiO2–La2O3 glass host has revealed its potential for MIR to NIR photonic applications.