Broadband 1400 nm emission from Ni2+ in zinc—alumino—silicate glass

Broadband near-infrared emission from Ni2+ in zinc–alumino–silicate glass was observed at room temperature. The emission band had a peak at ∼1400 nm with a bandwidth more than 300 nm, and covered the O, E, S, C, and L bands (1260–1625 nm). The emission lifetime was more than 200 μs even at room temperature. The observed near-infrared emission could be attributed to the A2g3(3F)→3T1g(3F) transition of Ni2+ in octahedral sites. This nickel-doped glass can be expected as an amplification medium for tunable lasers and broadband optical amplifiers for the wavelength division multiplexing transmission system applications.