Cooperative energy transfer between Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions co-doped in borosilicate glass

Spectroscopic analyses were performed on it borosilicate glasses co-doped with Tb3+ and Yb3+, as part of a program to develop green lasers and optical amplifiers pumped at 0.98 mu m. The absorption, and emission properties of borosilicate glass co-doped with Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions were investigated. Efficient green (0.54 mu m) emission resulting from the cooperative energy transfer between the doped ions was observed under infrared (0.98 mu m) excitation. The cooperative energy transfer efficiency increased with doping concentration and the highest value obtained was 60 +/- 11%. These results suggest that the glass is a promising candidate for green lasers and as a gain medium at 0.54 mu m. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.