Spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ and Nd3+ co-doped tellurite glass for 1.0 μm laser application

Abstract The Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses were prepared using the traditional melt quenching method. The spectroscopic properties of 1.0 μm emission in Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses were studied under 808 nm excitation. The concentration effect of Yb3+ ions on emission spectra of tellurite glass singly doped with Nd3+ ions was investigated. The results showed that the intensity and full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the emission spectra change with the addition of Yb3+ ions, and the luminescence lifetime increased from 0.18 ms to 0.83 ms as the Yb3+ ions content rise from 0 to 6.0 (mol%). Besides, there was an improvement in the quantum yield of co-doped glass (from 0.31 to 0.82), as the Yb3+ ions increased from 0 to 5.0 (mol%). Moreover, laser generation of Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glass around 1.02 μm was attained. All results indicate the potential applications of this Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glass in laser materials.