Quantifying Raman gain coefficients in tellurite glasses

This paper presents results obtained on bulk glasses that have been fabricated and characterized for their Raman gain properties. We summarize relative values of the Raman gain coefficients of different tellurite-based glasses as compared to that of fused silica, and compare data to values estimated from their Raman cross-section data. Spontaneous Raman spectra measurements demonstrate a straight forward means to estimate Raman gain coefficients utilizing spontaneous Raman scattering cross-section data as referenced to known standards. This technique shows, for an initial set of tellurite-based bulk glass samples, excellent agreement with experimentally-obtained Raman gain coefficient data. Initial experimental measurement of Raman gain coefficients for several tellurite glasses reveal that some compositions examined exhibit an absolute Raman gain coefficient up to 30 times higher than silica, with an overall spectral bandwidth more than twice that of fused silica. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved