Properties of novel glasses for the optimization of Pr-doped fluoride fiber amplifiers

A fluorozirconate-derivative glass has been identified having superior optical properties for the purpose of fabricating high NA, low loss fiber used in the Pr3+-doped fiber amplifier. In the most promising glass, the AlF3 in traditional ZBLAN has been replaced with YF3 and InF3, and NaF has been partially replaced with CsF for improved stability. The 1G4 lifetime of Pr3+ in this new glass is almost 25% longer than in ZBLAN. The properties of partially chlorinated glasses are also presented.