Hollow-core antiresonant optical fibers modified with Gd2O3:Nd3+ nanophosphors

The polymer-salt method was applied to synthesize nanoscale Gd₂O₃:Nd³⁺ phosphors in the form of thin films on the inner surfaces of capillaries which organize the structure of a silica hollow-core anti-resonant optical fiber. To obtain luminescing centers, the preform of a hollow-core anti-resonant optical fiber was impregnated with a homogeneous mixture of Gd(NO₃)₃ and NdCl₃ dissolved in water and organic solvent (polyvinylpyrrolidone). This procedure was followed by a few post-processing steps, including drying of the impregnated preform in normal conditions and its thermal treatment at temperature 1000 °C. As a result, Gd₂O₃:Nd³⁺-based thin films were produced inside the capillaries. Finally, the modified preform was drawn into the hollow-core anti-resonant optical fiber of 120 μm in diameter at temperature 1850 °C. The analysis of crystallographic structure of the initial Gd₂O₃:Nd³⁺ nanopowder and the same nanophosphor inside the fabricated fiber revealed the absence of structural and phase transformations of synthesized nanocrystals with an average size 35 nm after drawing. The data on spectral-luminescent properties of the fabricated fiber confirmed the presence of Gd2O3:Nd3+ nanophosphors in silica glass with the main emission peak at wavelength 1064 nm. Presented method of modifying the structure of a hollow-core anti-resonant optical fiber allows formation of active silica layers without using technologically complicated and expensive CVD processes.