Open AccessEnhanced 20 μm emission and gain coefficient of transparent glass ceramic containing BaF_2: Ho^3+,Tm^3+ nanocrystals
Author(s) -
W J Zhang,
qiangsheng zhang,
Q J Chen,
Qi Qian,
Zhongmin Yang,
Jianrong Qiu,
Ping Huang,
Yuansheng Wang
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.020952
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocrystal , ceramic , analytical chemistry (journal) , laser , glass ceramic , transmission electron microscopy , quenching (fluorescence) , fluorescence , high resolution transmission electron microscopy , optics , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , physics , chromatography
Transparent glass ceramic containing BaF(2):Ho(3+),Tm(3+) nanocrystals has been prepared by melt quenching and subsequent thermal treatment. The precipitation of BaF(2) nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Intense 2.0 microm fluorescence originating from Ho(3+): (5)I(7) --> (5)I(8) transition was achieved upon excitation with 808 nm laser diode. A large ratio of forward Tm(3+) --> Ho(3+) energy transfer constant to that of backward process indicated high efficient energy transfer from Tm(3+)((3)F(4)) to Ho(3+)((5)I(7)), benefited from the reduced ionic distances of Tm(3+)-Tm(3+) and Tm(3+)-Ho(3+) pairs and low phonon energy environment with the incorporation of rare-earth ions into the precipitated BaF(2) nanocrystals. The results indicate that glass ceramic is a promising candidate material for 2.0 microm laser.