Gain properties of the transition emissions near the second telecommunication window in Ho ³⁺-doped multicomponent heavy-metal gallate glasses

Efficient infrared emissions near the second telecommunication window in Ho ³⁺-doped multicomponent heavy-metal gallate (MHG) glasses have been observed. The maximum stimulated emission cross-sections are calculated to be 2.94×10 ^-21 and 2.08×10 ^-21 cm ² for 1200 and 1390 nm emissions, respectively. Excitation spectra reveal that the 642 and 538 nm wavelengths are practical pumping conditions for 1.2 and 1.39 μm emissions, respectively. Gain cross-sections are evaluated and positive gain bands have been anticipated. The theoretical gain results indicate that the appealing infrared emissions near the second telecommunication window from Ho ³⁺-doped MHG glasses with low maximum phonon energy of ∼660 cm ^-1 make them attractive in developing ∼1.2 μm and E-band (13601460 nm) optical amplifiers. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.