Influence of Bi3+ ions on the amplification of 1.3 μm emission of Pr3+ ions in lead silicate glasses for the applications in second telecom window communications

Abstract The primary objective of this study is to characterize 1 G 4 → 3 H 5 (1.3 μm, which is highly important in telecommunications) and also 3 P 0 → 3 F 2 (red emission) spectral lines of Pr 3+ ions in lead silicate glasses sensitized with bismuth ions. The intensity of these spectral lines exhibited large amplification (nearly four times) due to co-doping with Bi 3+ ions with fixed concentration of Pr 3+ ions. Several radiative parameters, e.g., transition probabilities ( A ij ), branching ratios ( β ), radiative life times ( τ ) and quantum efficiencies ( η ) of these spectral lines were evaluated using modified Judd-Ofelt theory. These parameters exhibited the maximal values when the glasses were codoped with the optimal concentration of Bi 2 O 3 (5.0 mol%). The increasing population of 3 P 0 and 1 G 4 levels of Pr 3+ ions (with the gradual increase of Bi 2 O 3 concentration up to 5.0 mol%) that caused the amplification of above mentioned emissions occurred: (i) due to the energy transfer from 3 P 1 → 1 S 0 emission transition of Bi 3+ ions and (ii) due to the increasing presence of Bi 3+ ions in octahedral positions that are predicted to induce structural defects in the glass network. The quantitative analysis of these results together with the kinetic rate equations suggested that the Pr 3+ ions doped lead silicate glasses mixed with (about 5.0 mol%) Bi 2 O 3 are highly efficient in producing intense 1.3 μm ( 1 G 4 → 3 H 5 ) narrow emission. Hence, it is concluded that the optical fibers drawn from the glasses of such compositions are highly useful for the applications in the second telecom window.