Enhancement of fluorescence emission and signal gain at 1.53 μm in Er^(3+)/Ce^(3+) co-doped tellurite glass fiber

Er3+/Ce3+ co-doped tellurite glasses with composition of TeO2-GeO2-Li2O-Nb2O5 were prepared using conventional melt-quenching technique for potential applications in Er3+-doped fiber amplifier(EDFA). The absorption spectra, up-conversion spectra and 1.53 μm band fluorescence spectra of glass samples were measured. It is shown that the 1.53 μm band fluorescence emission intensity of Er3+-doped tellurite glass fiber is improved obviously with the introduction of an appropriate amount of Ce3+, which is attributed to the energy transfer(ET) from Er3+ to Ce3+. Meanwhile, the 1.53 μm band optical signal amplification is simulated based on the rate and power propagation equations, and an increment in signal gain of about 2.4 d B at 1 532 nm in the Er3+/Ce3+ co-doped tellurite glass fiber is found. The maximum signal gain reaches 29.3 d B on a 50 cm-long fiber pumped at 980 nm with power of 100 m W. The results indicate that the prepared Er3+/Ce3+ co-doped tellurite glass is a good gain medium applied for 1.53 μm broadband and high-gain EDFA.