Temperature-dependent spectroscopic properties of Tm3+ in germanate, silica, and phosphate glasses: A comparative study

Spectroscopic properties of thulium-doped germanate, silica, and phosphate glasses were measured and compared since such glasses are of interest as materials for fiber lasers in the eye-safe wavelength region. F-3(4) excited state fluorescence decay dynamics was investigated at temperatures from 8 to 300 K and the results revealed a strong dependence of the F-3(4) lifetime on the host matrix. The temperature-dependent stimulated emission cross section was obtained by using the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg technique. In phosphate glass the fluorescent lifetime is short, making this material difficult to use for 2 mu m laser purposes. Tm3+-doped germanate glass shows a longer lifetime than silica, a comparable value of stimulated emission cross section and some interesting temperature-independent properties. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.