2.0 mu m spectroscopic properties of Ho3+/Er3+/Yb3+ tri-doped germanate-tellurite (GT) glasses pumped by 980 nm LD and the energy transfer mechanisms between the three rare earth ions were investigated based on near-infrared and mid-infrared fluorescence spectra. According to the measured absorption spectra, the Judd-Ofelt parameters were calculated and discussed. Mid-infrared transmittance property of glass was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The 2.0 mu m radiative transition probability and emission cross section are 69.33 s(-1) and 5.77 x 10(-21) cm(2), respectively, and superior gain performance was also obtained from the prepared glass. Meanwhile, the maximum 2 mu m emission lifetime of Ho3+/Er3+/Yb3+ tri-doped glass can reach as high as 6.83 ms. In addition, energy transfer microscopic parameters (C-DA) were calculated to evaluate 2 mu m fluorescence. Hence, all results reveal that Ho3+/Er3+/Yb3+ tri-doped germanate-tellurite glass is a promising material for improving the Ho3+ 2.0 mu m fiber laser performance. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.