UNIFORM UP-CONVERSION IN HIGH-CONCENTRATION ER3-DOPED SODA LIME SILICATE AND ALUMINOSILICATE GLASSES()

Uniform upconversion in erbium-doped silicate glasses is investigated as a function of glass composition, concentration, and fabrication met hod. Comparisons of upconversion coefficients are made among soda lime silicate and aluminosilicate bulk glasses and soda lime silicate wave guides. Comparisons are also made with studies performed by other rese archers. The results indicate that both the composition and the prepar ation method of the glass affect the value of the upconversion coeffic ient, with as much as a factor-of-4 variation observed at fixed Er3+ c oncentration. Values of the upconversion coefficient are found to be c onsistent with the Forster-Dexter microscopic model. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.