Abstract
The 1.5 μm fluorescence shape and lifetime of
Er3 + -activated tellurite glasses have been
investigated. The measures on bulk system have been compared with
those obtained on powders, showing that the self-absorption
effect broadens the emission spectrum and lengthens the lifetime.
It has been demonstrated that the bandwidth and lifetime
measurements depend on the absorption coefficient
α(λ) and on the distance d between the focused
exciting laser beam and the exit face of a bulk glass sample. The
actual emission spectrum has been reconstructed from the
α(λ)
d knowledge. Lifetime lengthening
cannot be determined from α(λ)d and, to
obtain actual lifetime for highly Er3 + -doped glasses,
measurements on powders are required.