Reversible photo-bleaching effect in a bismuth/erbium co-doped optical fiber under 830  nm irradiation

We observed photo-bleaching in a bismuth/erbium co-doped optical fiber (BEDF) under 830 nm irradiation. As a result of the photo-bleaching, the absorption at 814 nm and the near-infrared luminescence at 1420 nm are decreased, indicating that the silicon-based bismuth active center (BAC-Si) in a BEDF is bleached in the process. We further found that the photo-bleaching is reversible under room temperature. This is the first time that the BAC-Si could be bleached under 830 nm irradiation, and the photo-bleaching is reversible. The underlying mechanism of the reversible photo-bleaching effect is discussed.