With the goal of developing new mid-IR lasers, Rare Earth doped low-phonon sulfide-based chalcogenide glasses are being explored for their potential as sources emitting at ~3-microns. Such low phonon energy materials are necessary to minimize competing non-radiative decay processes such as multi-phonon relaxation (MPR). This work presents the results of a comprehensive spectroscopic study comparing the 3-micron laser potential of three different RE ions (Dy3+, Ho3+, and Er3+) doped into sulfide-based chalcogenide glass. Spectroscopic results will focus on absorption, fluorescence, and decay characteristics. From these measurements, laser relevant parameters such as cross sections and radiative lifetimes are calculated.
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