The comparison of calculated transition probabilities with luminescence characteristics of erbium(III) in fluoride glasses and in the mixed yttrium-zirconium oxide crystal

Fluorozirconate glasses containing 2 mole% ErF₃ were prepared by melting the binary fluorides with ammonium bifluoride under an atmosphere of carbon tetrachloride and argon at 850°C. Absorption spectra of these glasses were obtained and the Judd-Ofelt parameters were calculated. Emission spectra and lifetimes of erbium in fluorozirconate glass, in lead-gallium-zinc fluoride glass, and in yttrium-zirconium oxide crystal were measured and compared with the theoretical calculations. Laser emission lines in these materials are deduced from these measurements. It is suggested that materials doped with erbium may serve as light sources for fiber optic waveguides made from the undoped materials.