Temperature-dependent spectroscopic properties of Tm(3+) in germanate, silica, and phosphate glasses: A comparative study

Spectroscopic properties of thulium-doped germanate, silica, and phosphate glasses were measured and compared since such glasses are of interest as materials for fiber lasers in the eye-safe wavelength region. (3)F(4) excited state fluorescence decay dynamics was investigated at temperatures from 8 to 300 K and the results revealed a strong dependence of the (3)F(4) lifetime on the host matrix. The temperature-dependent stimulated emission cross section was obtained by using the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg technique. In phosphate glass the fluorescent lifetime is short, making this material difficult to use for 2 mu m laser purposes. Tm(3+)-doped germanate glass shows a longer lifetime than silica, a comparable value of stimulated emission cross section and some interesting temperature-independent properties