An optical fiber glass containing PbSe quantum dots

An optical fiber material, sodium–aluminum–borosilicate glass doped with PbSe quantum dots (QDs) is synthesized by a high-temperature melting method. Crystallization, size distribution and absorption–photoluminescence (PL) of this material are observed by XRD, TEM, and spectrometer respectively. The obtained results indicate that the glass contains QDs in diameter of 6–13nm depending on the heat-treatment temperature and with a higher doped concentration than those available. It shows an enhanced PL, widened FWHM (275–808nm), obvious Stokes shift (20–110nm), with the PL peak wavelength located within 1676–2757nm depending on the size of QD. The glass is fabricated into an optical fiber in diameter of 10–70μm and length of 1m, with pliability and ductility similar to usual SiO2 fibers. It can be easily fused and spliced with SiO2 fibers due to a small difference of melting point between them. Characterized by high doped concentration and broad FWHM, this study suggests that the glass can be applied to designing novel broadband fiber amplifiers working in C–L waveband.