Upconversion processes in Yb-sensitized Tm:ZBLAN

Conference · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:389082

Carrig, T J ^[1]; Cockroft, N J ^[2]

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1. Coherent Technologies, Inc., Lafayette, CO (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

A spectroscopic study of 22 rare-earth-ion doped ZBLAN (fluorozirconate) glass was done to study feasibility of sensitizing Tm:ZBLAN with Yb to facilitate development of an efficient, conveniently pumped blue upconversion fiber laser. it was found that, under single-color pumping, 480 nm emission from Tm{sup 3+} was strongest when Yb,Tm:ZBLAN is excited at 975 nm; the strongest blue blue emission was obtained from a glass sample with 2.0 wt% Yb + 0.3 wt% Tm. Also, for weak 975 nm pump intensities, strength of blue upconversion emission can be greatly enhanced by simultaneously pumping at 785 nm. This increased upconversion efficiency is due to reduced number of energy transfer steps needed to populate the Tm{sup 3+} {sup 1}G{sub 4} energy level. Measurements of fluorescence lifetimes vs dopant concentration were also made for Yb{sup 3+}, Tm{sup 3+}, and Pr{sup 3+} transitions in ZBLAN in order to better characterize concentration quenching effects. Energy transfer between Tm{sup 3+} and Pr{sup 3+} in ZBLAN is also described.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 389082
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--96-2779; CONF-960848--14; ON: DE96014653
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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