Yb₂O₃-doped YAG nano-crystallites in silica-based core glass matrix of optical fiber preform

Paul, M.C., Bysakh, S., Das, S., Bhadra, S.K., Pal, M., Yoo, S., Kalita, M.P., Boyland, A.J. and Sahu, J.K. (2010) Yb₂O₃-doped YAG nano-crystallites in silica-based core glass matrix of optical fiber preform. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 175 (2), 108-119. (doi:10.1016/j.mseb.2010.07.013).

Abstract

Yb₂O₃-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) nano-crystals within the silicate glass-based optical fiber preforms were obtained through the conventional-modified chemical vapour deposition (MCVD) and solution doping technique. Nano-crystals were developed with soaking of the porous phospho-silica or pure silica core layer in a solution containing the ytterbium, yttrium and other co-dopants, including fluorine using 10-15% fluorosilicic acid, and through post-annealing of the preform at a temperature of around 1450 °C. The size, shape and nature of Yb₂O₃-doped phase-separated nano-crystallites were evaluated from HRTEM images along with the electron diffraction pattern based on the doping levels of phosphorous and fluorine. The size of nano-crystallites was maintained within 6-10 nm when doped with 0.25 mole% of fluorine. X-ray analyses EDX data reveals that the nano-particles are rich in Yb:YAG, and uniformly dispersed into the amorphous silica glass matrix. The novelty of this technique involves the direct synthesis of rare-earth doped phase-separated nano-crystallites within the core region of silica glass preforms. This class of fibers containing the nano-particles with or without Yb:YAG crystalline nature will keep the advantage of the mechanical properties as well as good lasing properties under high power application compared to the Yb:YAG ceramic laser.

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Contributors

Author: J.K. Sahu

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