Absorption and emission properties of Yb3+ in borophosphate glasses of the
(55-x)P2O5. xB(2)O(3). 10ZnO . 10BaO . 20SrO . 5Nb(2)O(5). 1Yb(2)O(3) serie
s (x = 0, 11, 22, 33, 44, and 55) have been investigated, To avoid the prob
lem arising from the radiation trapping effect, the reciprocity method is e
mployed to calculate the emission cross section, It is found that the spect
roscopic properties of Yb3+ in our borophosphate glasses are sensitive to t
he Yb3+ site environments. In addition, the laser performance of the Yb3+-d
oped borophosphate glasses has been assessed. And the borophosphate glasses
with values of x = 33 and 55 appear to be superior to the phosphate glasse
s as Yb-grain media.