ZnF₂‐modified AlF₃‐based fluoride glasses with enhanced mid‐infrared 3.5 μ$\umu$m emission

Abstract

A novel ZnF2–AlF3 based fluoride glass was prepared. The introduction of ZnF2 can lower the phonon energy of AlF3–BaF2–YF3–SrF2 glass while maintaining good thermal stabilities. The mid‐infrared emission properties of Er3+‐doped ZnF2–AlF3–YF3–SrF2–BaF2 (ZAYSB) glasses were investigated. Enhanced 3.5 μm and 2.7 μm emissions were observed with an incremental increase in the content of ZnF2. In addition, the Er3+‐doped ZAYSB glass was shown to have a large emission cross‐section of 3.5 μm. This study indicates that this ZAYSB glass is a promising glass material for 3.5 μm fiber‐laser applications.