Comparative investigation on energy transfer mechanisms between Er3+ and Ce3+ (Eu3+, Tb3+) in tellurite glasses

The comparative investigation of the luminescence properties of Er3+ in low phonon energy tellurite glasses codoped with Ce3+, Eu3+, and Tb3+, respectively, are presented. The energy transfer mechanism between Er3+ and the codopant is discussed based on their energy level characteristics. Though Ce3+ is less effective than Eu3+ and Tb3+ on the decrease of the lifetime of 4I11/2 level, it hardly influences the lifetime value of 4I13/2 level. Both the 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 levels are depleted severely at the same time with the introduction of Eu3+ and/or Tb3+ ions. The influence of the codopants on the 1.5 μm fluorescence characteristic of Er3+ is also compared. The Er3+/Ce3+-codoped tellurite glasses will be preferable for obtaining efficient 980 nm pumped broadband EDFA.