Spectra and laser properties of Er, Yb:phosphate glasses

The effects of Al₂O₃, Yb₂O₃, Er₂O₃ and OH on spectral properties of P₂O₅·Na₂O·SrO·Al₂O₃·Yb₂O₃·Er₂O₃ erbium phosphate glass were studied. 5, 8, 13 mol% Al₂O₃, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mol% Yb₂O₃ and 0.05, 0.2, 0.4 mol% Er₂O₃ were used. It was found Al₂O₃ improves fluorescent lifetime of Er³⁺ ions, but the integrated absorption cross-section of Er³⁺ ions decreases with the increase of Al₂O₃ concentration. Evaluating from energy transfer efficiency of Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ and spectral parameters of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺, lower Al₂O₃ content, 6 mol% Yb₂O₃ and 0.2–0.4 mol% Er₂O₃ are preferred for LD pumped microchip laser application. OH groups in glass greatly affect fluorescent intensity and lifetime of Er³⁺, Yb³⁺:phosphate glass. The OH absorption coefficient at 3000 cm^?1 should be <1 cm^?1 for laser applications. Pumped with a 2 W, 974 nm InGaAs laser diode, CW laser centered at 1530 nm with slope efficiency of 10.6% and maximum output of 43 mW was achieved in our 2 mm thick Er³⁺, Yb³⁺:phosphate glass at room temperature.