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

Transparent Ni2+ -doped MgO- Al2 O3 -Ti O2 -Si O2 glass ceramics were prepared, and the optical properties of Ni2+ -doped glass ceramics were investigated. Broadband emission centered at 1320 nm was observed by 980 nm excitation. The longer wavelength luminescence compared with Ni2+ -doped Li2 O- Ga2 O3 -Si O2 glass ceramics is ascribed to the low crystal field hold by Ni2+ in MgO- Al2 O3 -Ti O2 -Si O2 glass ceramics. The change in optical signals at the telecommunication bands with or without 980 nm excitation was also measured when the seed beam passes through the bulk gain host.