Mid-IR (3-4 μm) fluorescence and ASE studies in Dy doped tellurite and germanate glasses and a fs laser inscribed waveguide

We present the fluorescence spectroscopy of a range of Dy doped tellurite (TeO) and germanate (GeO) glasses and compare with Dy doped ZBLAN glass. When excited using an 808 nm laser diode, Dy ions emit radiation at around 3 μm from the H→ H (3500 cm ) energy level transition, which has been exploited in Dy doped fluoride fibre lasers. When Dy is doped into TeO and GeO based glasses, the fluorescence from the H→ H transition is shown to be broader and red-shifted compared to that in ZBLAN glass. Mid-IR ASE from a fs laser inscribed Dy doped tellurite glass waveguide is also presented. The results of Dy mid-IR fluorescence spectroscopy and the potential of oxide glasses as mid-IR sources are discussed.