Abstract: An optical material comprises a host matrix (e.g. fluorozirconate glass such as ZBLANP) doped with an optical atom pair or ion pair, each pair comprising a sensitizer (e.g. Nd.sup.3+) and an activator (e.g. Pr.sup.3+). The sensitizer is capable of absorbing optical excitation energy of a single wavelength (e.g. in the 800 nm region of GaAlAs diode laser) and transferring this optical excitation energy to the activator. This causes emission of visible and/or infrared light when the activator relaxes back into any of its lower energy states. Optical devices containing the optical material, and methods for generating visible and/or infrared light involving the optical material are also disclosed.