Spectroscopic properties of the 1.8 μm emission of Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped TeO2–ZnO–Bi2O3 glasses with efficient energy transfer

Tm3+-doped and Tm3+/Yb3+-codoped TeO2–ZnO–Bi2O3 (TZB) glasses are prepared by melt-quenching method. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ωt t = 2, 4, 6), radiative transition rate, and radiative lifetime of Tm3+ are calculated based on the absorption spectra. The 1.8 μm emission of the samples is investigated under 980 nm laser excitation. The absorption, emission cross-sections, and gain coefficient of Tm3+:3F4 → 3H6 are calculated. The energy transfer processes of Yb3+–Yb3+ and Yb3+–Tm3+ are analyzed, the results show that the Yb3+ ions can transfer their energy to Tm3+ ions with large energy transfer coefficient, and a maximum efficiency of 79%.