Effect of sensitizers on the optical properties of Er3+ ions in erbium glass lasers

Two different host glasses for Er³⁺, namely, phosphate and borate glasses were prepared. Yb³⁺ was added as a sensitizer to investigate its effect on the absorption, emission, gain cross sections as well as threshold pumping intensity for generation of laser radiation. Another sensitizer, Cr³⁺, was added to Er ³⁺. The enhancement of absorption and emission of Er³⁺ were investigated, in addition, the energy transfer efficiency from Cr³⁺ to Er³⁺ was determined from the emission of Cr³⁺. The threshold, intensity for Er³⁺ laser at 1543 nm is reduced to about 54 times using Yb³⁺ as a sensitizer