Broadband near-infrared emission of chromium-doped sulfide glass-ceramics containing Ga_2S_3 nanocrystals

Upon 808 nm excitation, an intense broadband near-infrared emission from Cr4+ has been observed in 80GeS2-20Ga2S3 chalcogenide glass-ceramics (GCs) containing Ga2S3 nanocrystals. The emission band peaking at 1250 nm covers the O, E, S bands (1000-1500 nm). The formation of Ga2S3 nanocrystals (∼20 nm) increases the emission intensity of Cr4+ by more than three times. The quantum efficiency of the present GCs is as great as 36% at room temperature.