Enhanced Mid Infrared Emission of Erbium Doped Fluoro-Zinc Glass-Ceramics

Erbium doped glass-ceramics modified by different content of Zn2+ were prepared. The mid-infrared fluorescence intensity (2.7 mu m) has been enhanced by Zn2+ introduction. The x-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR and mid-infrared spectra were investigated. As the introduction of Zn2+, the crystals (ZrF4) begin to participate in glass. In addition, the size of the crystals changes with the content of Zn2+ ions. The mid-infrared emission intensity enhanced with the growth of crystals. Omega(2) improved with the introduction of Zn2+, which showed higher asymmetry and covalency. Emission cross-section (1.42 x 10(-20) cm(2)) and absorption cross-section (1.04 x 10(-20) cm(2)) at 2.7 mu m were measured. By the Judd-Ofelt theory and absorption curves, it shows that parameter.