Towards mid-infrared fiber-lasers: rare earth ion doped, indium-containing, selenide bulk glasses and fiber

Chalcogenide glasses are promising materials for mid-infrared (IR) fiber lasers (i.e. 3 - 25 μm wavelength range). These glasses exhibit low phonon energies, together with large refractive indices, rare earth (RE-) ion solubility and sufficient mechanical and chemical robustness. Optical quality of the fiber is key. Gallium is known to promote RE-ion solubility in chalcogenide glasses, probably forming a [Pr(III)] - Se - [Ga(III)] associated type complex. Here, indium is investigated as an alternative additive to gallium in Pr3+-doped Ge-As-Se chalcogenide glasses. Indium has the same outer electronic structure as gallium. Moreover, indium has the advantage of being heavier than gallium, potentially promoting a lower phonon-energy, local environment of the RE-dopant. Zero to ~2000 ppmw (nominal parts per million by weight) Pr3+- doped Ge-As-In-Se bulk glasses are prepared using the melt-quench method. ~500 ppmw Pr3+- doped Ge-As-In-Se, optically-clad fiber is realized via fiber-drawing of extruded fiberoptic preforms. Fiber absorption and emission spectra are collected and compared with those of the bulk glasses.