Efficient 2.7 micron emission from Er^{3 +}/Pr^{3 +}codoped oxyfluorotellurite glass

2.7 μm emission from the Er3 +and Er3 +/Pr3 +ions doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses was detected when pumped with a 980 nm laser diode and their results were compared. It is found that 2.7 μm emission from Er3 +is enhanced by codoped with Pr3 +in the oxyfluoride tellurite glass. The emission characteristic at 2.7 μm and energy transfer (ET) have been investigated. The fabricated glass possesses a larger calculated emission cross section (1.01 × 10- 20cm2) along with a higher spontaneous transition probability (60.92 s- 1) corresponding to the Er3 +:4I11/2→4I13/2transition. Additionally, large ET efficiency of 85% indicates the more efficient ET process from Er3 +to Pr3 +(Er3 +:4I13/2+ Pr3 +:3H4→ Er3 +:4I15/2+ Pr3 +:3F3). Therefore, codoping with Pr3 +ions can further improve the 2.7 μm emission of Er3 +via ET and the investigation of the materials in this study could help to find potential application of 2.7 μm laser.