Single-Mode Large Mode-Field-Area Tm3+-Doped Lead-Silicate Glass Photonic Crystal Fibers

Tm
³⁺
-doped lead-silicate glass with good thermal stability was prepared by the melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra, emission spectra, luminescent lifetime, and absorption and emission cross sections of the core glass were measured and analyzed. Then, Tm
³⁺
-doped lead-silicate glass photonic crystal fiber (PCF) was successfully drawn with a core diameter of 30 μm and a mode-field-area of ~3160 μm2 of the emitted fundamental mode. Nearly 2.0-μm amplified spontaneous emission was obtained in a 3.0-cm-long as-drawn PCF. The results indicate that the Tm
³⁺
-doped PCF is a promising fiber material for 2.0-μm fiber laser applications.