Luminescent properties of bismuth centres in aluminosilicate optical fibres

The shape and spectral position of the luminescence bands of bismuth-doped aluminosilicate glass fibres are shown to depend on excitation power and wavelength. This indicates that the red and IR luminescence bands are composed of several components. The absorption and radiative transitions involved are identified, and a diagram of energy levels and transitions is obtained for four modifications of a bismuth centre in different environments in the aluminosilicate glass network. The effect of local environment on the optical properties of the bismuth centres is examined.