Abstract

We formulate a new and detailed 3-energy-level model for clustered Er³⁺-ions and use it in the interpretation of a green fluorescence experiment for characterizing energy transfer upconversion in clusters. We compare with the results obtained by use of an already existing model. Furthermore, comparison between 6 different fibres shows that for increasing Er³⁺-concentration, a larger fraction of the Er³⁺-ions become clustered, but the quenching through energy transfer upconversion on the other hand becomes slower, and quenching times for clustered Er³⁺-ions as long as several hundred μs are observed.

© 1996 Optical Society of America