Spectroscopic properties of Er doped silica glasses

We have carried out a systematic study of optical emission in Er doped silica glass materials with different codopants. The stimulated emission cross-sections of these materials have been calculated. The wavelength dependence of emission of these materials has been studied. The different spectral shapes and hence broadening observed in this model is primarily due to different Stark splitting of the upper and lower levels of the Er ion in the glass matrix in the presence of different codopants. Inhomogeneous broadening which may be important at low temperatures is not discussed here. The peak emission cross section in Er doped pure silica glass is 5.4 pm(2) and the peak wavelength is at 1535 nm. Codopants broaden the Er amplifier spectrum and vary the wavelength of peak stimulated emission cross section. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.