Emission properties of Ho3+/Tb3+ co-doped in Ge30Ga2As8S60 glass

Abstract

Emission properties of Ho3+ and Ho3+/Tb3+ doped Ge30Ga2As8S60 glasses were investigated. Population densities of the I-5(5) and I-5(7) levels and the gain coefficients for the 1.6 mum emission were calculated. Upon the addition of more than 0.05 mol% Tb3+, population inversion between the I-5(5) and I-5(7) levels was achieved while it was not possible in the glass doped with Ho3+ only. The positive optical gain in the 1620-1750 nm wavelength region was obtained with the addition of 0.3 mol% Tb3+ ions. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.