Formation, element-migration and broadband luminescence in quantum dot-doped glass fibers.

All solid-state PbS quantum dot (QD)-doped glass precursor fibers avoiding crystallization during fiber-drawing process are successfully fabricated by melt-in-tube technique. By subsequent heat treatment schedule, controllable crystallization of PbS QDs can be obtained in the glass precursor fibers, contributing to broad near-infrared emissions from PbS QD-doped glass fibers. Nevertheless, we find that element-migration and volatilization of sulfur simultaneously happen during the whole fiber-drawing process, because of the huge difference between the melting temperature of core glass and the fiber-drawing temperature. Element-migration pathways along the fiber length were revealed. Such PbS QD-doped glass fiber with broadband emissions will be a potential application as gain medium of broadband fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers.