Polymer-based composite active fiber doped with Tm3+ and Yb3+ — Technology and luminescent properties in VIS spectral range

Recent years observed significant development of the technology of luminescent materials for application in light sources (both coherent and incoherent) operating in the visible part of the spectrum. Undoubtedly, the most spectacular results have been obtained in the field of wide bandgap semiconductor lasers, considerable progress has been also observed in solid state lasers based on crystalline or glassy hosts with frequency conversion. Despite this results, however, there is still a room for development of entirely new types of active media, like e.g. composite polymers doped with optically active nanocrystals. Such a materials may potentially benefit from excellent luminescent properties of RE
³⁺
doped nanocrystals and good optical and thermo-mechanical properties of polymer matrices enabling drawing the optical fibers based on these composites. In such a design nanocrystalline environment provides the protection of active ions from interactions with highly energetic phonons of polymer matrix and simultaneously, polymer host encapsulating nanoparticles shields these from interactions with OH
⁻
groups and other contaminations.