Evaluation of laser level populations of erbium-doped glasses

A simulation of erbium-doped glass systems, which provides population density for the excited states involved in the 1.5 μm and also for 2.7 μm emissions when pumped around 980 nm, is presented. To describe the diode pump laser processes, a theoretical model based in a coupled system of differential rate equations was developed. The approach used and the obtained spectroscopic parameters are discussed. The materials under study are two oxide glasses, lead fluoroborate (PbO–PbF2–B2O3), and heavy metal oxide (Bi2O3–PbO–Ga2O3) and a fluoride glass (ZrF4–BaF2–LaF3–AlF3–NaF), all of them doped with Er3+.