Enhancement of the 1.53μm fluorescence and energy transfer in Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped WO3 modified tellurite-based glass

•Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped tellurite glasses containing WO3 were prepared.•The structure behavior and 1.53μm band luminescence properties were investigated.•Introduction of WO3 improves 1.53μm fluorescence due to enhanced energy transfer.•The ET mechanisms were investigated via calculating micro-parameters. For the first time, the WO3 oxide with relatively high phonon energy was introduced into the Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped tellurite-based glasses with composition of TeO2Bi2O3TiO2 to improve the 1.53μm band fluorescence emission. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) curves, Raman spectra, absorption spectra and 1.53μm band fluorescence spectra were measured, along with the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated emission and absorption cross-sections, and radiative quantum efficiencies were calculated to evaluate the effects of WO3 amount on the glass structure and spectroscopic properties especially the 1.53μm band fluorescence. It is shown that the introduction of an appropriate amount of WO3 oxide can further improve the 1.53μm band fluorescence intensity through an enhanced phonon-assisted energy transfer between Er3+/Ce3+ ions and the energy transfer mechanisms between Er3+/Yb3+ (Er3+/Ce3+) ions are investigated quantitatively in detail by calculating energy transfer microparameters and phonon contribution ratios. The results indicate that the prepared Er3+/Yb3+/Ce3+ tri-doped tellurite glass with an appropriate amount of WO3 oxide is a potential gain medium applied for the 1.53μm band broad and high-gain EDFA.