Optical transition probabilities of Er³⁺ in fluoride glasses

Lead-based fluoride glasses of the system PbF₂GaF₃MF₂(M = Zn or Mn) doped by trivalent erbium were prepared by melting and quenching of the appropriate fluorides under inert atmosphere. Optical spectra of the glasses with and without manganese reveal identical characteristics in the near ir region of the spectrum. In the near uv and visible part, the manganese-containing samples show higher oscillator strength, probably due to interaction between Mn²⁺ and Er³⁺. Radiative and nonradiative characteristics of the glasses were computed, using the Judd-Ofelt method. Laser transitions of the glasses were predicted.