Nanocomposite photonic glasses and confined structures optimizing Er3+- luminescent properties.

The recent developments of optically confined structures and nanocomposite materials activated by rare earth ions have opened new possibilities in the field of both basic and applied physics, in a large area covering Information Communication Technologies, Health and Biology, Structural Engineering, and Environment Monitoring Systems. As far as optical telecommunications are concerned, Er3+-activated glasses have become one of the key materials because of their relevance for the development of optical amplifiers. The short-term goal is to develop appropriate material systems and devices to exploit at the best the luminescence properties of Erbium. Er 3+-activated confined structures at different scales thus offer interesting solutions. The last decade has seen a remarkable increase in the experimental efforts to control and enhance emission properties of emitters by tailoring the dielectric surrounding of the source. The aim of this paper is to give a review concerning the advances in glass-based photonic systems, where light confinement or the presence of nanostructured hosts for the rare-earth induces an enhancement and a control of the optical and/or spectroscopic properties.