POC-OC-122458-Er:Yb:Phosphate Glass

  • Long lifetime of the 4I11/2 erbium energy level.
  • High energy transfer efficiency between Yb to Er ions.
  • Wide absorption and emission cross-sections for improved performance.
  • Large bandwidth in absorption and emission, enabling versatile laser applications.
  • Custom crystals are available on request for specific laser designs.

Customizable Components Available for This Material to Meet Your Specific Needs!

Er:Yb:Phosphate Glass  Material General Description

Er,Yb:Phosphate Glass is a co-doped glass known for its excellent laser performance in the “eye-safe” spectral range of 1.5–1.6 µm. The material combines an extended erbium upper laser level lifetime (~8 ms) with a short lifetime (~2–3 ms) of the energy transfer stage between Yb and Er ions. This unique configuration allows efficient energy transfer, minimizing back-energy losses and improving overall system efficiency. Additionally, phosphate glass exhibits a low phonon energy, reducing non-radiative relaxations and enhancing luminescence quantum efficiency. Due to its superior optical and mechanical properties, Er,Yb:Phosphate Glass is widely used for creating compact, energy-efficient lasers operating in demanding applications.

 

Er:Yb:Phosphate Glass General Applications and Examples

  • Range Finding: Ideal for passively Q-switched lasers used in rangefinder systems due to its “eye-safe” wavelength of 1.5–1.6 µm.
  • LIDAR: Reliable performance in light detection and ranging systems for industrial and environmental monitoring.
  • LIBS Systems: Suitable for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy applications for material analysis.
  • Medical Applications: Can be implemented in laser treatments requiring precise and safe emission wavelengths.

Defense:Er:Yb:Phosphate Glass Utilized in advanced targeting and distance measurement technologies due to its robust energy transfer efficiency and reliability in extreme conditions

Chemical and Structural Properties

Property

Unit

Value

Absorption Peak Wavelength

nm

970

Absorption Cross-Section

cm²

1.7 × 10⁻²⁰

Absorption Bandwidth

nm

20

Laser Wavelength

nm

1534

Emission Cross-Section

cm²

8 × 10⁻²⁰

Density

g/cm³

2.93

Mohs Hardness

6

Thermal Conductivity

W/m·K

0.65

dn/dT (Refractive Index Change)

K⁻¹

-2.1 × 10⁻⁶

Thermal Expansion Coefficient

K⁻¹

0.3–1.3 × 10⁻⁶

Typical Doping Levels

0.1–1.0% (Er), 1.7–4% (Yb)

Optical, Laser and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Property

Value

Refractive Index at 1534 nm

1.52

Yb to Er Energy Transfer Efficiency

High

Emission Lifetime (4I11/2 level)

~8 ms

Absorption Edge

~970 nm

Standard Fabrication Specifications

Property

Value

Clear Aperture

>90%

Face Dimensions Tolerance

±0.01 mm

Length Tolerance

±0.1 mm

Parallelism Error

<20 arcsec

Perpendicularity Error

<10 arcmin

Surface Quality

20–10 S/D

Surface Flatness

λ/10 @ 632.8 nm

Mount

Unmounted

Spectrum Transmission Curve:

A comprehensive transmission spectrum (graph shown) reveals the high absorption at ~970 nm and a strong emission at ~1534 nm, with minimal losses and consistent transmission efficiency over a broad wavelength range.

Coating Specification:

 

Standard AR coatings available for dual wavelengths:

  • AR(R < 0.2%) @ 940 nm
  • AR(R < 0.2%) @ 1535 nm

Customized coatings available upon request.

  • Adhesion Test Compliant with MIL-C-675C military standards, an adhesion test involved applying a tape that meets LT-90 specifications onto the lens film layer. The tape was affixed fully and then removed vertically. This procedure was performed three times, resulting in no blistering or peeling.
  • Temperature Test In line with MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were subjected to temperatures of -62±1℃ and 71±1℃. After maintaining them at room temperature (16℃~32℃) for two hours, the adhesion test was repeated, confirming no film detachment.
  • Abrasion Resistance Test Conforming to MIL-C-675C and CCC-C-440 standards, the abrasion resistance test involved a gauze tester applying a minimum force of 1.0 lbs (0.45 kg) to the film. This was repeated 25 times with gauze widths of 1/4 inch (6.4mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5mm), ensuring no damage occurred to the film surface.
  • Humidity Test Under MIL-C-675C criteria, the test piece was placed in a controlled temperature and humidity chamber set to 49 ±2℃ and 95%~100% humidity for 24 hours. The film remained intact, with no peeling, scratches, or other defects.
  • Solvent and Cleaning Testing Following MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were exposed to room temperature conditions (16℃~32℃) and tested with acetone and alcohol for at least 10 minutes each. After air drying and subsequent cleaning with a cotton cloth soaked in alcohol, the film surface showed no signs of peeling or scratches.
  • Salt Spray Test After 100 hours in a 35°C environment with a 5% saltwater concentration, the film showed no signs of damage.

POC Strength and Capabilities

 

Photonics On Crystals (POC) specializes in high-quality optical crystals, providing tailored solutions for advanced photonics applications. With state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in material engineering, POC offers:

  • Customizable crystal dimensions and doping levels.
  • Industry-grade AR coatings for optimized optical performance.
  • Proven track record in delivering precise and reliable laser components.
  • Robust R&D support to meet unique application demands.

Standard Products

Face Dimensions

Length

End Faces

Doping

Coatings

Price (USD)

3 × 3 mm

5 mm

Brewster-angle cut

Yb: 20%, Er: 1%

Uncoated

370

3 × 3 mm

10 mm

Right-angle cut

Yb: 20%, Er: 0.5%

AR@940 nm + 1535 nm

435

3 × 3 mm

10 mm

Right-angle cut

Yb: 20%, Er: 0.5%

AR@940 nm + 1535 nm

435

Customization

Any

Any

Any

Upon request

Upon Request