Erbium photoluminescence in sol-gel-derived titanium dioxide films

Titanium dioxide films doped with erbium were prepared by sol-gel technique from Ti(OC2H5)4 or Ti(OC4H9)4 precursors. Room-temperature luminescence at 1.53 micrometers associated with 4I13/2 - 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions in TiO2 films derived from the first precursor has been detected. The films have a refractive index about 2.4 and may be used in the planar erbium doped waveguides.