Abstract

Pr³⁺ and Dy³⁺-doped Ge-S-I glasses were synthesized and their optical properties studied for active photonic device applications, such as optical fiber amplifiers at 1.31 μm and mid-IR fiber lasers. Absorption and emission spectra in the near-IR, recorded in doped Ge-S-I samples, are very similar to these observed in Ge-Ga-S glasses. Judd-Ofelt analysis of Dy³⁺-doped Ge-S-I glasses was used to evaluate their radiative properties. The measured high quantum efficiencies of 1.31 μm transitions (82% for Pr³⁺-doped and 17% for Dy³⁺-doped Ge-S-I bulk glass samples) place them among the glass candidates with best emission parameters. Thermal analysis data have been utilized to identify compositions with suitable stability against crystallization during drawing process. Fibers with losses of 3 dB/m at 1.31 μm have been successfully fabricated from Pr³⁺-doped Ge-S-I glasses.

© 1997 Optical Society of America