Optical properties of Er3+ doped alkali chlorophosphate glasses for optical amplifiers

A new class of Erbium doped glasses with compositions xNa2O-(60 - x) PbCl2-40P2O5 (x = 0, 10, 20 and 30) were fabricated and characterized for optical properties. Absorption spectra were analyzed for important Judd-Ofelt parameters from the integrated intensities of various Er3+ absorption bands. A systematic correlation between the Judd-Ofelt parameter Ω2 and the covalent nature of the glass matrix was observed, due to the increased role of bridging oxygens in the glass network. Photoluminescence (PL) and its decay behavior studies were carried out for the transition 4I13/2 → 4I15/2. The PL broadness and life times were typically in the range of 40-60 nm and 2.13-2.50 ms, respectively. These glasses show high transparency, high refractive index, shorter life times and, most importantly, these glasses were capable of being doped with larger concentrations of Er3+ (up to 4 wt%). Optical performance of these doped phosphate glasses suggesting the suitability of these glasses for optical fibre/waveguide amplifiers. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.