Silver nanoparticle enhanced 2.7 μm luminescence in Er3+-doped bismuth germanate glasses

This work studied the luminescent properties of Er3+/Ag-codoped bismuthate glass nanocomposites (BGN). Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks characteristic of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were present at 575-590 nm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Ag NPs with different sizes were distributed in the glass matrix. The fluorescence intensity of Er3+ ions at 2.7 mu m first increased and then decreased with increasing Ag content, and the maximum fluorescence intensity was obtained under the addition of 1.5 mol% AgCl. Meanwhile, the fluorescence lifetime at 2.7 mu m (I-4(13/2)) was extended through the addition of Ag NPs and achieved the maximum value under the addition of 1.5 mol% AgCl. This phenomenon was caused by the local field enhancement of Ag NPs and Ag-0 -> Er3+ energy transfer. The maximum stimulated emission cross-section sigma(em) of the Er3+: I-4(11/2). I-4(13/2) transition at 2.7 mu m was 1.36 x 10(-19) cm(2). All the above results indicated that Er3+/Ag-codoped BGN is a promising gain medium for lasers, optical displays, and optical memory devices. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement