Effects of Ce3+ ions on the spectroscopic properties of fluorophosphate glasses codoped with Er3+/Yb3+

Abstract

This paper reports on the influence of energy acceptors Ce3+ ions on the upconversion and 1.5μm emission properties of fluorophosphate glasses codoped with Er3+/Yb3+. The energy transfer mechanism has been discussed based on the energy matching and the energy level. The Ce3+ ions are excited from the 2F5/2 level to the 2F7/2 level due to the non-radiatively energy transfer process of the Er3+ ions from the 4I11/2 level to the 4I13/2 level. The upconversion luminescence intensities of the Er3+ are decreased quite significantly owing to this energy transfer process. Meanwhile, the luminescence intensities, peak stimulated emission cross sections, and lifetimes of the 4I13/2 level of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped fluorophosphate glasses increase largely with the introduction of the Ce3+ ions at the proper concentration of 1.11×1020cm-3.