Propriedades ópticas dos vidros Er3+:PbPO4

Abstract

In this work we employ several techniques to investigate the optical properties of moderately high Er3+-doped lead phosphate (EDLP) glasses. The third-order optical susceptibility, χ3, and dispersion of the linear refractive index, n0(λ), of Er3+:PbPO4 were measured in the wavelength range between 400 and 1940 nm by using the spectrally resolved femtosecond Maker fringes technique. The nonlinear refractive index, n2, obtained from the third-order susceptibility was found to be five times higher than that of silica. For comparison purposes, the Z-scan technique was also employed to obtain the values of n2 of EDLP at several wavelengths, and the values obtained using the two techniques agree to within 15%. From the data obtained by absorption measurements, the Judd-Ofelt theory was employed to calculate the intensity-dependent parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, and 6). We observed that increasing Er3+ content, Ω4 and Ω6 remain constant, while Ω2 decreases. Green, red, and infrared emissions centered at 530, 550, 660, and 1530 nm were observed under excitation at 800 nm. The lifetime of the Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (1530 nm) transition decreases with increasing Er3+ content, reflecting how significant the non-radiative process associated with this transition is. The McCumber theory was used to calculate, from absorption cross-section, the stimulated emission cross-section of the Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition. A strong re-absorption of the fluorescence at 1530 nm was also observed and analyzed. Finally, we discuss the potential use of Er3+:PbPO4 glasses in photonics devices.