UV emission properties of thulium-doped fluorozirconate glasses

In this work, we present our latest results on UV emission in bulk ZBLAN glasses doped with thulium ions, broadening knowledge of the short-wavelength optical properties of this system. We examined a set of samples with different activator concentrations (2500, 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 ppm) in respect of absorption and short-wavelength emission properties. The concentration-dependant spectra of UV emission from the 1I6+3P0 and 1D2 levels and fluorescence dynamics profiles have been recorded and carefully examined under direct (one-photon) excitation, enabling discussion of fluorescence quenching mechanisms and determination of appropriate cross-relaxation rates. According to authors’ best knowledge, the three-photon red-to-UV up-conversion has been reported for the first time under excitation of a laser diode.