Efficient red-NIR laser of Er/Yb, Er/Nd, and Er/Ce co-doped in oxyfluorophosphate glass.

Being one of the most important tools in industrial and medical fields, the red-NIR laser has caught a lot of attention in research studies to improve its emission efficiency and the stability of its lasing materials, both thermally and mechanically. In this regard, the emission intensity of the red-NIR laser generated from Er ions doped glass network was enhanced by adding Yb, Nd, and Ce ions. A host glass network of 44PO-15ZnO-10PbO-15NaF-15MgF-1ErO was proposed as a red-NIR lasing material and was reinforced by 0.5 and 1 mol% of Yb, Nd, or Ce ions (labeled as PZPbNMEr:RE). The structural variations resulting from compositional changes, which were examined by XRD, density, FTIR, and Raman measurements, showed an increase in the glass network tightness, leading to better thermal stability and elasticity of the considered PZPbNMEr:RE glasses, indicating their suitability as lasing materials. Optically, all the distinctive optical absorption bands of the Er, Yb, Nd, and Ce ions appeared in the spectral region of 200-2500 nm. Additionally, a significant impact of the induced strain or crystal field of the added RE ions on the optical properties was observed. A successful excitation was conducted by the green wavelength of 525 nm to the host glass PZPbNMEr, generating five wavelengths, one in the red region at 631 nm and four in the NIR at 748, 801, 1034, and 1527 nm. A significant enhancement in the intensity and redshift of the formed bands were observed with the inclusion of Yb, Nd, and Ce ions, and new NIR bands were generated. Additionally, an energy transfer between Er/Yb and Er/Nd was observed. Accordingly, the considered PZPbNMEr:RE glasses had highly efficient photoluminescence in the red-NIR region alongside their high thermal stability and good elasticity, making them a suitable choice for laser media.