Cooperative energy transfer between and ions co-doped in borosilicate glass

Spectroscopic analyses were performed on a borosilicate glasses co-doped with Tb 3 + and Yb 3 + , as part of a program to develop green lasers and optical amplifiers pumped at 0.98 μm. The absorption, and emission properties of borosilicate glass co-doped with Tb 3 + and Yb 3 + ions were investigated. Efficient green (0.54 μm) emission resulting from the cooperative energy transfer between the doped ions was observed under infrared (0.98 μm) excitation. The cooperative energy transfer efficiency increased with doping concentration and the highest value obtained was 60 ± 11 % . These results suggest that the glass is a promising candidate for green lasers and as a gain medium at 0.54 μm.