Spectroscopic analysis of Tm(3+) in PbO-Bi(2)O(3)-Ga(2)O(3) glass.

Tm(3+)-doped heavy metal oxide glasses in the PbO-Bi(2)O(3)-Ga(2)O(3) system were prepared, and their emission characteristics were examined. Three emission bands at the infrared wavelength region were observed, at 1.46, 1.79, and 2.36 µm, which are associated with the (3)H(4) ? (3)F(4), (3)F(4) ? (3)H(6), and (3)H(4) ? (3)H(5), transitions, respectively. Measured fluorescence lifetimes for the first two transitions were 0.160 and 1.035 ms, respectively. Oscillator strengths and intensity parameters suggest that the ionicity of Tm-Obonds in the glass is higher when compared with those in other oxide glass hosts. Higher radiative transition probabilities of the three infrared emissions than those calculated for other glasses appear to provide potentials for future laser applications.