Enhanced luminescence in Er3+-doped SiO2-ZrO2 glass ceramic waveguide

Increased percent molar ratio of zirconia (ZrO 2) in Er 3+-doped SiO 2-ZrO 2 glass-ceramic waveguide exhibits higher photoluminescence intensity. Zirconia helps to disperse Er 3+ ions homogeneously within the glass ceramic matrix and reduced the formation of ion clustering. This effect results in reduced the number of cluster and promotes intense and stable photoluminescence. SiO 2-ZrO 2 planar waveguide thin films doped with 0.58mol% of Er 3+ were prepared via sol-gel technique.