Synthesis and spectroscopy of high concentration dysprosium doped GeS2Ga2S3CdI2 chalcohalide glasses and fiber fabrication

0.2%–3% weight of Dy 3+ ions doped 64GeS 2 ·16Ga 2 S 3 ·20CdI 2 glasses were synthesized, and their spectroscopic properties were investigated. It was shown that the host glass could dissolve as much as 3% Dy 3+ ions without deteriorating the glass transparency. The mid-infrared (MIR) emissions of the glasses did not present remarkable concentration quenching when the Dy 3+ ions concentration was less than 0.6%. It was also shown that the MIR emission properties could be significantly improved by reducing S H/O H impurities in the glasses. The spectral analyses indicated that the 2.9 and 4.3 μm emissions of Dy 3+ ions in the glass showed relatively large stimulated emission cross sections. The glass doped with as high as 0.4% Dy 3+ ions was successfully drawn into fibers, indicating good potential of the doped glass for MIR lasers.