Effect of Gd2O3 on luminescence properties of RE ions in germanium-tellurite glasses

The system of Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ge-Te-Ga-Gd glasses has been successfully prepared by traditional melting method. The thermal stability, Raman spectroscopy and mid-infrared luminescence were studied and analyzed systematically. The effectively enhanced thermal stability of the sample was obtained with the increasing introduced Gd2O3, which was confirmed by the positive ΔT values. The improved robustness and structural stability of the glass network were analyzed through Raman spectroscopy. Enhanced 2–3 μm emissions have been obtained by certain content Gd2O3 with an optimal choice of 15 mol% additive amount under 980 nm pumping. Furthermore, luminous parameters including J-O values, absorption, emission and gain cross sections have been presented together with energy transfer mechanism. Hence, this paper presents a new choice of Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ge-Te-Ga-Gd glass as potential mid-infrared laser materials. •The system of RE ions doped Ge-Te-Ga-Gd glasses has been successfully prepared by traditional melting method.•The improved thermal and structural stability of the glass network were obtained by regulating the glass network.•Enhanced 2~3 μm luminescence properties presents a new choice as potential MIR laser materials.