Spectral properties of erbium-doped lead halotellurite glasses for 1.5 μm broadband amplification

The spectral properties of the Er3+-doped lead halotellurite glasses, PbX2-TeO2 (X = F, Ci, Br), were measured and analyzed with Judd-Ofelt and McCumber theories. These glasses showed high refractive indices, high cross-sections for both absorption and stimulated emission, and very broad bandwidths for the 1.5 mu m band. The bandwidths of the 1.5 mu m band, which have substantial magnetic dipole transition component, increased significantly with the refractive index of the host materials. The halotellurite glasses have very good glass formation ability or glass stability. The halotellurite glasses will be the promising host materials for 1.5 mu m broadband amplification. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.