Enhanced NIR emission from nanocrystalline LaF3:Ho3+ germanate glass ceramics for E-band optical amplification

[Display omitted] ► Nanocrystalline LaF3:Ho3+ germanate glass–ceramic has been prepared for E-band optical amplification. ► Enhanced NIR emission from LaF3:Ho3+ germanate glass–ceramic has been demonstrated. ► The results suggest Ho3+-doped germanate glass–ceramic is a suitable candidate for optical amplification in the E-band. Nanocrystalline LaF3 germanate glass ceramics were prepared and used as host for optically active Ho3+ ions. LaF3 crystallites precipitate by internal nucleation with sizes in the range of 7–17nm. During crystallization, Ho3+ is incorporated into the fluoride lattice on La3+ sites, leading to reduced probability of multiphonon relaxation and, hence, significantly enhanced emissions within 1300–1440 and 1400–1550nm wavelength range. Excited state absorption spectra, stimulated emission spectra and spectral gain coefficients of the (5S2, 5F4)→5I5 transition indicate suitability of the material for E-band optical amplification.