Novel Synthesis of Low Hydroxyl Content Yb³⁺‐Doped Fluorophosphate Glasses with Long Fluorescence Lifetimes

Abstract

A novel dehydration method for preparing rare‐earth ions‐doped fluorophosphate glasses was presented using raw materials soaking and rapid heating process, and a series of water‐free Yb3+‐doped fluorophosphate glasses (FPC) were obtained. In contrast with other dehydration methods, we found that the Yb3+‐doped FPC has wide transmission range and long fluorescence lifetime. The hydroxyl groups (‐OH) absorption was barely observed in the range 260–3750 nm, and the UV absorption cut‐off wavelength was blue shifted by 100 nm. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum value of emission cross section and the fluorescence lifetime of FPC reached 0.82 pm2 and 2.67 ms, respectively. These excellent optical properties implied a potential application of the FPC glass in multicomponent glass fibers, IR lasers, and optical amplifiers.

Tunable and white light generation in lanthanide doped novel fluorophosphate glasses

“…Recently, new fluorophosphate glasses doped with Yb 3+ ions are reported which possess low concentration of hydroxyl group (~3-7 ppm) and high emission cross section (0.7-0.8 pm 2 ) at around 1000 nm. The lifetime of the latter band (from Yb 3+ ) ions in proposed fluorophosphate glasses could be as long as 2.67 ms [81]. Such high emission cross section and long lifetime are reported in various Yb 3+ doped fluorophosphate glasses for high-power generation [35,82].…”

The role of fluorine in high quantum yield oxyfluoride glasses and glass-ceramics

“…In our case, this process is greatly reduced by the dry melting conditions. Sometimes, the formation of HF can be beneficial as it reacts with adsorbed H2O present in the starting materials, which decreases [OH-] groups concentration in the glass melt [28], [29]. Also, LiF evaporation is highly suspected but the quantification of such low atomic mass elements is not reliable.…”