Spectroscopic investigation and optical characterization of novel highly thulium doped tellurite glasses

In this paper, optical properties of 75TeO2–20ZnO–5Na2O host glass doped with concentration of Tm3+ up to 10 %mol were studied in order to assess the most suitable rare earth content for short cavity fiber lasers. Raman spectroscopy revealed a change in the glass structure while increasing Tm3+ content, similar to the well known addition of alkali ions in a glass. Influence of the fabrication process on the OH− content was determined by FTIR measurements. Refractive index of Tm3+ doped tellurite glasses was measured at five different wavelengths ranging from 533 nm to 1533 nm. Lifetime and emission spectra measurements of the Tm3+ doped tellurite glasses are reported.