Visible-infrared optical performance of Er3+-doped fluorotellurite glass via hybrid structural fluctuations

Improving the physicochemical and optical properties of erbium ion-doped fluorotellurite glass is key to addressing the performance bottleneck of current commercial silicon-based fiber amplifiers. In this study, the ZnF2 is used to reduce the hydroxyl content in the tellurite glass matrix, which improved the fluorescence efficiency. Further, the WO3 modifier is introduced to enable the transformation of TeO4→TeO3+δ→TeO3 and the formation of the octahedral [WO6] units and tetrahedral [WO4] units, as demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron analysis. Finally, Er3+-doped fluorotellurite glass with stable thermal properties is obtained by adjusting the glass topology. Its excellent visible-near-mid-infrared optical properties make it a promising candidate material for infrared fiber amplifiers and gain media for rare-earth-doped solid-state lasers. •The thermal stability and NIR fluorescence efficiency of fluorotellurite glass can be improved by tailoring the topology.•The alteration of different binding sites of the O–1S peaks and the microscopic topological structure were revealed.•The glass at the critical point with the glass topology structure fluctuation presents more excellent optical properties.•The alteration of the glass topology leads to a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime of 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 energy levels.