Broadband near-infrared emission from transparent Ni2+-doped silicate glass ceramics

Transparent Ni2+-doped MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–SiO2 glass ceramics were prepared, and the optical properties of Ni2+-doped glass ceramics were investigated. Broadband emission centered at 1320nm was observed by 980nm excitation. The longer wavelength luminescence compared with Ni2+-doped Li2O–Ga2O3–SiO2 glass ceramics is ascribed to the low crystal field hold by Ni2+ in MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–SiO2 glass ceramics. The change in optical signals at the telecommunication bands with or without 980nm excitation was also measured when the seed beam passes through the bulk gain host.