From mid-infrared luminescence to laser gain in chalcogenide glasses and glass-ceramics
- 1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Laser Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, P. R. China
Abstract
Mid-infrared (MIR) lasers operating in the 2–6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m region are important for spectroscopy, sensing, communications, medicine, lidar, and electro-optical applications. Chalcogenide glasses and glass–ceramics are attractive MIR gain-media candidates because of their broad infrared transparency and low-phonon-energy hosts. This review focuses on recent progress in chalcogenide glasses and glass–ceramics toward practical MIR laser operation. Rare-earth-doped glasses and fibers are discussed from early MIR emission studies to recent Tb[Formula: see text]-, Ce[Formula: see text]-, and Pr[Formula: see text]-based laser demonstrations, with particular attention to low-loss fibers. For rare-earth-doped glass–ceramics, dopant partitioning among nanocrystals and glass–crystal interfaces is examined as a key factor governing spectroscopic performance. Transition-metal-doped systems, including Cr[Formula: see text]-, Co[Formula: see text]-, Fe[Formula: see text]-, and Ni[Formula: see text]-activated materials, are reviewed with emphasis on crystal-field engineering and crystallization-induced optical loss. Bulk, fiber, waveguide, and microcavity platforms are further compared in terms of gain–loss balance and their suitability for practical MIR laser operation.
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BibTeX
@article{zhao2026from,
title = {{From mid-infrared luminescence to laser gain in chalcogenide glasses and glass-ceramics}},
author = {Yuhang Zhao and Chenyue Xiao and Xiaosong Lu and Zhiyong Yang},
journal = {Journal of Advanced Dielectrics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1142/s2010135x26400102},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1142/s2010135x26400102},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From mid-infrared luminescence to laser gain in chalcogenide glasses and glass-ceramics
AU - Yuhang Zhao
AU - Chenyue Xiao
AU - Xiaosong Lu
AU - Zhiyong Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Journal of Advanced Dielectrics
DO - 10.1142/s2010135x26400102
UR - https://doi.org/10.1142/s2010135x26400102
AB - Mid-infrared (MIR) lasers operating in the 2–6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m region are important for spectroscopy, sensing, communications, medicine, lidar, and electro-optical applications. Chalcogenide glasses and glass–ceramics are attractive MIR gain-media candidates because of their broad infrared transparency and low-phonon-energy hosts. This review focuses on recent progress in chalcogenide glasses and glass–ceramics toward practical MIR laser operation. Rare-earth-doped glasses and fibers are discussed from early MIR emission studies to recent Tb[Formula: see text]-, Ce[Formula: see text]-, and Pr[Formula: see text]-based laser demonstrations, with particular attention to low-loss fibers. For rare-earth-doped glass–ceramics, dopant partitioning among nanocrystals and glass–crystal interfaces is examined as a key factor governing spectroscopic performance. Transition-metal-doped systems, including Cr[Formula: see text]-, Co[Formula: see text]-, Fe[Formula: see text]-, and Ni[Formula: see text]-activated materials, are reviewed with emphasis on crystal-field engineering and crystallization-induced optical loss. Bulk, fiber, waveguide, and microcavity platforms are further compared in terms of gain–loss balance and their suitability for practical MIR laser operation.
SN - 2010-1368
SN - 2010-135X
ER -