Increasing ZnF2 content enhancing the near- and mid-infrared emission in Er3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluorotellurite glasses with decreased hydroxyl

A series of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped 50TeO2-(47.5-x)PbF2-xZnF2-1.5YbF3-1ErF3 (x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 47.5) oxyfluorotellurite glasses were prepared by melt-quenching method. With the increasing of ZnF2 content, the near- and mid-infrared emission from 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (1530 nm) and 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 (2700 nm) were enhanced. The absorption, Fourier transmittance infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, the near- and mid-infrared emission spectra were measured, along with the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated absorption and emission cross-sections were calculated to evaluate the effects of ZnF2 content on the properties of the infrared emission spectra. The results of FTIR indicate the increase of ZnF2 content reduces the content of hydroxyl groups substantially and the absorption coefficient of OH− of the as-prepared glasses around 3 μm decreased dramatically, which is favor of the enhancement of the near- and mid-infrared luminescence. Our results indicate the glass 50TeO2-47.5ZnF2-1.5YbF3-1ErF3 with low absorption coefficient of OH− (0.72 cm−1), large emission cross section (0.692 and 0.528 × 10−20 cm2) for 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 and 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transitions would be a promising material for the near- and mid-infrared amplifier. [Display omitted] •More PbF2 replaced by ZnF2 can enhance Er3+/Yb3+ codoped glass infrared emission.•ZnF2 has better effect to remove OH− from glass than PbF2.•Oxyfluoride glasses with low OH− content and intense infrared emission were prepared.