Spectroscopy of Pr³⁺-doped low phonon-energy glasses based on halides and sulphides

Abstract

The optical properties of praseodymium doped glasses have attracted considerable attention recently for their potential application as a 1.3 micron optical amplifier. As a result novel glass compositions are being developed and known glass forming systems are being revisited in the quest for a low-phonon energy glass which may lead to an efficient amplifier. We report here on our spectroscopic evaluation of a series of low-phonon-energy glasses based on halides and sulphides. These results, though driven by the desire for a practical amplifier, provide insight into the application of these glasses not only for telecommunications applications, but also an understanding of the overall optical properties of a low-phonon-energy glass. Using Raman spectroscopy. the vibrational characteristics of the glass host are determined. These results are confirmed through infrared measurements and with phonon sideband measurements. In this way, the non-radiative properties of the rare earth doped glass can be predicted. Absorption measurements across the visible and infrared allow evaluation of the intrinsic loss of these glasses when in fibre form, as well as providing an indication of glass purity. Fluorescence of Pr³⁺-doped glasses, through excitation of the ³P₀, ¹D₂ and ¹G₄ levels, is measured along with the fluorescence lifetimes. These radiative properties arc compared to those predicted by a Judd-Ofelt analysis, which has been performed on all glasses. In this way, this work provides an overall spectroscopic evaluation of the optical properties of low-phonon-energy glasses, leading the way towards a practical device.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Daniel W. Hewak: orcid.org/0000-0002-2093-5773

ORCID for William S. Brocklesby: orcid.org/0000-0002-2123-6712

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