Pr3+-sensitized Er3+-doped bismuthate glass for generating high inversion rates at 2.7 µm wavelength.

With a 980 nm laser diode pumping, the 2.7 µm emission and energy transfer processes of Er3+/Pr3+ codoped germanium-gallium-bismuthate glasses have been investigated. For Er3+ (1 mol. %) and Pr3+ (1 mol. %) molar concentrations, an intense 2.7 µm emission was obtained based on the high excited-state absorption of Er3+ ions and energy transfer (ET) between Er3+ and Pr3+ ions codopant (ET). The intrinsic lifetime of Er3+:4I(13/2) level is quenched effectively (from 6.85 ms down to 0.24 ms) and the population inversions between Er3+:4I(11/2) and 4I(13/2) levels are enhanced to achieve a four-level energy system at 2.7 µm.