Intense 2.7μm emission in Er³⁺ doped zinc fluoride glass

A novel erbium ion doped zinc fluoride glass was prepared. 2.7μm emission and transmittance properties together with thermal ability were investigated. An enhanced 2.7μm emission was observed by introducing ZnF₂ in the ZrF₄-based fluoride glass. Meanwhile, the J-O parameters and branching ratios (β) of Er³⁺-doped zinc fluoride glass were calculated and analyzed. The present Er³⁺-doped zinc fluoride glass with large emission cross-section (0.92×10^-20cm²) and long decay lifetime (2.05ms) at 2.7μm indicates that it have very promising applications for solid state lasers around 3μm.