Enhanced broadband NIR emission in glass-ceramic fibers containing Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped YCa4O(BO3)(3) disordered nanocrystal

Demands are increasing for ultrashort pulse laser in industrial applications, where the gain bandwidth of most optical fiber material is not wide enough, and developing a wide bandwidth gain medium is challenging. Glass-ceramic fibers containing Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped YCa4O(BO3)(3) nanocrystals were fabricated by the molten core method and successive heat treatment. After a careful heat treatment, Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped YCa4O(BO3)(3) nanocrystals were precipitated in the fiber core. Enhanced broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission from 850 to 1150 nm (bandwidth: similar to 252 nm) was obtained in the glass-ceramic fiber compared to that of precursor fiber. These results suggest that the Nd3+/Yb3+ glass-ceramic fibers are promising for broadband NIR optical amplifications and lasers.