Emissions of 1.20 and 1.38 μm from Ho3+-doped lithium–barium–bismuth–lead oxide glass for optical amplifications

Efficient infrared emissions at 1.20 μm [5I6 → 5I8 transition] and 1.38 μm [(5 F4, 5 S2) → 5I5 transition] from Ho3+-doped lithium–barium–bismuth–lead (LBBP) glass were observed. The stimulated emission cross-sections were calculated to be 0.29 × 10−20 and 0.25 × 10−20 cm2 for 1.20 and 1.38 μm emissions, respectively. Judd-Ofelt characteristic parameters Ω2, Ω4 and Ω6 for Ho3+ in LBBP glass were calculated to be 6.72 × 10−20, 2.35 × 10−20 and 0.61 × 10−20 cm2, respectively, which indicates a strong asymmetry and a covalent environment between the Ho3+ ions and the ligands in this glass. The optical amplifications operating at these relatively unexplored wavelength regions were evaluated and discussed.