LAUSR

Abstract Compositional effects of Na 2 O, GeO 2 , and Bi 2 O 3 on 1.8 µm spectroscopic properties have been investigated to enhance 1.8 µm emission in Tm 3+ doped zinc tellurite glasses. It is found that the heightened impact of Bi 2 O 3 on 1.8 µm emission is more prominent than that of Na 2 O and GeO 2 . Furthermore, the partial substitution of Bi 2 O 3 makes the lifetime of Tm 3+ : 3 F 4 level increase from 547 μs to 671 μs while Na 2 O and GeO 2. have almost no effect on the lifetime. Relative energy transfer mechanism is analyzed and absorption and emission cross sections of the Tm 3+ : 3 F 4 → 3 H 6 transition are determined. The changes in density, refractive index, and thermal properties are also observed with the partial substitution of these compositions for ZnO. Especially, the glass thermal stability is obviously improved after the partial substitution. These results indicate that Tm 3+ doped zinc tellurite glasses containing Bi 2 O 3 appear to be an excellent host material to achieve 2.0 µm laser.