Introduction of BaF2 to titanate-germanate glasses doped with rare-earth ions evidenced by NIR luminescence spectroscopy.

• GeO 2 -TiO 2 -BaO-BaF 2 -Ga 2 O 3 system doped with Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+ were synthesized. • The extremely low IR absorption coefficients were achieved. • Enhanced emission at 1.5 µm, 1.8µm and 2.0 µm by introducing BaF 2 in the composition was observed. • The luminescence lifetime significantly increased in the function BaF 2. • Optimal BaF 2 content in titanate-germanate glass was evaluated. A novel TiO 2 -GeO 2 -BaO-BaF 2 -Ga 2 O 3 glasses doped with rare-earth were synthesized, and the impact of the substitution of BaF 2 for BaO on properties has been investigated by luminescence spectroscopy. The IR absorption coefficient is extremely low, which is attractive for optical fibers emitting NIR radiation. Near-IR luminescence associated to the Er3+:4I 13/2 → 4I 15/2 (FWHM = 108 nm), Tm3+:3F 4 → 3H 6 (FWHM = 244 nm) and Ho3+:5I 7 → 5I 8 (FWHM = 179 nm) transitions are enhanced in the presence of BaF 2. Luminescence lifetimes increase with increasing content of BaF 2 in the glass composition. Fabricated optical materials with relatively high BaF 2 content represent a good starting point for further investigations in the field of glass technology and modern photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]