Modulating energy transfer between transition metal and rare earth ions in nanostructured glass to promote ultrabroadband infrared emission

Abstract Researching broadband amplification materials and modulating energy transfer processes between two active ions have attracted immense attention for photoluminescence applications in recent years. In this work, transition metal (Cr) and rare earth (Er) ions codoped glasses and glass ceramics with ten nanometer length scale β-Zn 2 SiO 4 crystals have been successfully prepared. The analysis of valence state change and surroundings of Cr ions proves two points: 1) Cr 3+ ions always stay in amorphous surroundings, 2) a part of Cr 3+ ions change to Cr 4+ occupied in the nanocrystal phase. To the best of our knowledge, it is demonstrated for the first time that an active ion (Cr 3+ ) does not produce the radiative processes by emitting photons, while it can store pumping energy and transfer to neighboring active ions (RE: Er 3+ ions here) for infrared emission. Four times enhanced infrared intensity of 1530 nm emission and super-ultrabroadband emisison in the region of 1100–1700 nm have been obtained finally. Meanwhile, an approach in nanometer length scale to control ET processes between two simultaneous active ions has been proposed for futher studies on photoluminescence applications.