Broadband optical amplification in silicate glass ceramics containing Li₂ ZnSiO₄: Cr⁴⁺ nanocrystals

Transparent glass ceramics containing Li₂ ZnSiO₄: Cr⁴⁺ nanocrystals are prepared and their optical properties are investigated. The glass ceramics show intense broadband infrared luminescence and long fluorescence lifetime of about 90 mu;s. The single-pass optical amplification is demonstrated on a traditional two-wave mixing configuration. The optical gain efficiency is about 1.27 cm-1 when the excitation power is 0.80 W. The optical gain shows the similar wavelength dependence with luminescence properties. The transparent glass ceramics containing Li₂ ZnSiO ₄: Cr⁴⁺ nanocrystals have potential application as broadband gain media in optical communication system.