Evaluation of Spectroscopic Properties of Yb³⁺ in Silicate-Based Heavy Metal Oxide Glasses

The absorption, stimulated emission cross section and potential
laser parameters of heavy metal silicate glasses doped with Yb³⁺ ions have been investigated. The emission cross section has been evaluated by using the measured absorption spectra and principle of reciprocity. It is found that Yb³⁺ in SiO₂-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ glass has high stimulated emission cross section of 0.9 pm² for the ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition and exists short measured fluorescence lifetime of 0.78 ms. On the other hand, the stimulated emission cross section of Yb³⁺-doped SiO₂-PbO glass was 0.49 pm². Its measured fluorescence lifetime was 2.00 ms. Evaluated from the good potential laser parameters, Yb³⁺-doped SiO₂-PbO glass may be a good candidate for fibre laser applications.