Influence of y₂o₃ content on structural, optical, spectroscopic, and laser properties of er³⁺, yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glasses

Abstract

<p>The influence of the addition of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> on the structural, spectroscopic, and laser properties of newly prepared Er, Yb-doped strontium-sodium phosphate glass was investigated. While the addition of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> has a small influence on the absorption spectra and fluorescence lifetime, it has a strong impact on the emission cross-section and on OH<sup>−</sup> content. The glasses were used as the active medium for diode-pumped laser emitting at 1556 nm. The increase in Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> content leads to a significant 35% increase in laser slope efficiency up to 10.4%, but at the expense of the substantial reduction of the wavelength tunability from 82 to 54 nm.</p>