Photoluminescence from germanate glasses containing silicon nanocrystals and erbium ions

Abstract

We report the first observation of photoluminescence enhancement in Er³⁺ doped GeO₂–Bi₂O₃ glasses containing silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) excited by a laser operating at 980 nm. The growth of ≈200% in the intensity of the Er³⁺ transition ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 (545 nm) and of ≈100% for transitions ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 (525 nm), ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 (660 nm), and ⁴I_5/2→⁴I_13/2 (1530 nm) was observed in comparison with a reference sample that does not contain Si-NCs. The results open a new road for obtaining efficient Stokes and anti-Stokes emissions in germanate composites doped with rare-earth ions.