Scientific Reports (Mar 2025)

Efficient red-NIR laser of Er3+/Yb3+, Er3+/Nd3+, and Er3+/Ce3+ co-doped in oxyfluorophosphate glass

  • Najla Khaled Almulhem,
  • Hayat. H. Almulhim,
  • M. A. Farag,
  • Aly Saeed

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89190-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract 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 Er3+ ions doped glass network was enhanced by adding Yb3+, Nd3+, and Ce3+ ions. A host glass network of 44P2O5–15ZnO–10Pb3O4–15NaF–15MgF2–1Er2O3 was proposed as a red-NIR lasing material and was reinforced by 0.5 and 1 mol% of Yb3+, Nd3+, or Ce3+ ions (labeled as PZPbNMEr3+:RE3+). 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 PZPbNMEr3+:RE3+ glasses, indicating their suitability as lasing materials. Optically, all the distinctive optical absorption bands of the Er3+, Yb3+, Nd3+, and Ce3+ ions appeared in the spectral region of 200–2500 nm. Additionally, a significant impact of the induced strain or crystal field of the added RE3+ ions on the optical properties was observed. A successful excitation was conducted by the green wavelength of 525 nm to the host glass PZPbNMEr3+, 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 Yb3+, Nd3+, and Ce3+ ions, and new NIR bands were generated. Additionally, an energy transfer between Er3+/Yb3+ and Er3+/Nd3+ was observed. Accordingly, the considered PZPbNMEr3+:RE3+ 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.

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