Optical and physical properties of Er 3+-Yb 3+ co-doped tellurite fibers

In this work we present results of physical and optical properties of Er 3+-Yb 3+ co-doped tellurite glasses and fibers. The Double Clad Tellurite Fibers (DCTFs) are based on glasses with the composition: TeO 2-WO 3-Nb 2O 5-Na 2O-Al 2O 3-Er 2O 3-Yb 2O 3. The DCTFs were fabricated by using the rod-in-tube technique and a Heathway drawing tower. The optical absorption spectra (ranging from 350 to 1750 nm) of these fibers were measured using an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA). The emission spectra, around 1550 nm band, of these fibers (lengths varying from 1 to 60 cm) were obtained by using a 980nm diode laser pump. The optimal Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) spectra were observed for fiber lengths ranging from 2 to 6 cm. The Er 3+/Yb 3+ co-doped DCTFs show an efficient up-conversion process in comparison with the Er 3+-doped DCTF. © 2011 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)