Er^(3+)-doped Na2O-WO3-TeO2 glass consistent with standard ion-exchange technology has been fabricated and characterized. The measured absorption and emission spectra of the glass were analyzed by the Judd-Ofelt and McCumber theories. The intensity parameters are Ω2 = 7.01*10^(-20) cm2, Ω4 = 1.80*10^(-20) cm2, Ω6 = 1.03*10^(-20) cm2. The maximum emission cross-section is 0.91*10^(-20) cm2 at 1.533 μm, and a broad 1.5-μm emission spectrum of 65-nm full width at half-maximum (FWHM) is demonstrated. Glass transition temperature, crystallization onset temperature, density, refractive index are also reported for reference in the design and modelling of the ion-exchange process.

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence of Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth (LSPB) glasses for developing potential upconversion lasers has been studied under 975-nm excitation. Based on the results of energy transfer efficiency and upconversion spectra, the optimal Yb(3+)-Er(3+) concentration ratio is found to be 5:1. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions 2H_(11/2)-->4I_(15/2), 4S_(3/2)-->4I_(15/2), and 4F_(9/2)-->4I_(15/2), respectively, were observed. The quadratic dependence of the 525-, 546-, and 657-nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975-nm excitation. The high-populated 4I_(11/2) level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes. The intense upconversion luminescence of Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped LSPB glasses may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion optical devices.

A new Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped phosphate glass has been prepared, which exhibits good chemical durability and spectralproperties. Planar graded index waveguides have been fabricated in the glass by (Ag+)-Na(+) ion exchange in a mixed melt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. Ion exchange is carried out by varying the process parameters such as temperature, diffusion time, and molten salt compositions. The diffusion parameters, diffusion coefficients, and activation energy are determined by the guidelines of fabricated waveguides, which are determined by the input prism coupling technique.

Er^(3+)-doped fluoride lanthanum aluminosilicate glasses with compositions of (65-x/2)SiO_(2).(25-x/2)Al_(2)O_(3).xAlF_(3).9.1La_(2)O_(3).0.6Er_(2)O_(3).0.3Yb_(2)O_(3) (x = 4, 8, 12, 20, 30) (mol%) were prepared and their glass transitiontemperatures and spectroscopic properties were investigated. The Ω_(2), Ω_(4), and Ω_(6) intensity parameters of glasses were calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory from absorption curves. It was found that glasses transition temperature and melting temperature decreased with the increase of fluoride content in glass, Ω_(2) decreased gradually with the increase of AlF_(3) content, but both Ω_(4) and Ω_(6) did not increase until AlF_(3) content increased to 30 mol%. The quantum efficiency of ^(4)I_(13/2) to ^(4)I_(15/2) transition of Er^(3+) ions increases with the increase of AlF_(3) content in glass. Fluorescent lifetime is longer in glass containing more AlF_(3) content.

A set of phosphate glasses with different amounts of Al_(2)O_(3), Na_(2)O, La_(2)O_(3) and AlF_(3) contents were prepared to search for a phosphate glass which is suitable for ion-exchange process. Based on chemical durability test results and spectroscopic properties, a glass with excellent chemical durability and good spectroscopic properties is developed for ion-exchange process. The emission cross section of Er^(3+) in this glass is calculated to be 0.72×10^(-20) cm^(2) by McCumber theory. The planar waveguide with three modes at 632.8 nm and one mode at 1540 nm can be realized by 335 ℃ 3 hours ion-exchange in 5%AgNO_(3)+95%KNO_(3) molten salt.