Spectroscopic properties of ZrF4-based fluorophosphate laser glasses with large stimulated emission cross-section and high thermal stability

A new kind of ytterbium-doped ZrF4-based fluorophosphate glass (FPZ), with large stimulated emission cross-section and high thermal stability, is prepared by introducing heavy metal oxides (HMO). The effects of HMO on glass structure, spectra and fluorescence are examined by Raman spectra, absorption and emission spectra. The result shows that the peak values of integrated absorption and emission cross-sections of the sample FPZ-6 are 7.15 x 10(4) pm(3) and 1.29 pm(2), with a lifetime of 1.51 ms and a Delta T (T-x - T-g) of 179.4 degrees C, implying that the novel FPZ glasses have potential applications as gain media in high-power lasers and fiber lasers