Near- and mid-infrared photoluminescence in Ho3+ doped and Ho3+–Yb3+ codoped low-phonon-energy germanotellurite glasses

Intense infrared emissions at 1.20 μm (Ho3+: 5I6→5I8 transition) and 2.0 μm (Ho3+: 5I7→5I8 transition) wavelengths from holmium–ytterbium (Ho3+–Yb3+) codoped low-phonon-energy germanotellurite glasses and fibers were observed. In comparison to Ho3+-singly doped glass, the incorporation of Yb3+ as sensitizer increases the quantum efficiency of the 1.20 μm wavelength emission from 2.4% to 7.9% through efficient energy transfer from Yb3+(2F5/2) to Ho3+(5I6). Emission of 1.38 μm originating from the Ho3+: (5F4,5S2)→5I5 transition was also recorded under 488 nm excitation. The observation of both 1.20 and 1.38 μm wavelength emissions is primarily due to the low phonon energy of the germanotellurite glasses and is 770 cm−1 in accordance to the Raman spectrum. Excellent gain performance is predicted by the long lifetime and the large stimulated emission cross-section. The results suggest that low-phonon-energy germanotellurite glass is a promising candidate for optical amplification at relatively unexplored 1.20 and 1.38 μm wavelength regions, and lasing operation at the eye-safe 2.0 μm wavelength region.