LAUSR

Abstract In this work, we report on structural and spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ doped and Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped TeO2-Bi2O3-ZnO-Li2O-Nb2O5 (TBZLN) tellurite glasses. Bending and stretching modes of TeO2 and Te–OH bond (strong and weak) were analysed from the deconvolution of observed Raman and FT-IR spectra. Based on the absorption measurements, the energy bands of Yb3+ and Pr3+ ions are assigned. The spectroscopic properties for the radiative transitions of Yb3+ and Pr3+ ions were reported using McCumber and Judd-Ofelt theories. Visible emission bands originating from 3P1 and 3P0 to lower lying levels of Pr3+ were registered under 447 nm excitation. The emission band around 1334 nm assigned to the Pr3: 1G4→3H5 was observed when excited at 980 nm. The stimulated emission cross-section (σemi(λ)) and effective linewidth (Δλeff) for the 3P1→3H6, 3P1→3H5, 3P0→3H6, 3P0→3F2, 3P1→3F3, 3P1→3F4, 3P0→3F4 and 1G4→3H5 transitions of Pr3+ are reported. Upconversion luminescence in Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass upon 980 nm excitation was measured. Possible resonant transfer processes between Yb3+ and Pr3+ ions are presented and discussed. The chromaticity co-ordinates were also evaluated from the visible emission spectra showing that Pr3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass may be suitable for the development of yellow-orange (λexc = 447 nm) and near white light (λexc = 980 nm) emitting devices in photonics.