Compact optical amplifier
View Patent ↗The optical amplifier has a waveguide including a core and a cladding. The cladding at least partially surrounds the core and is doped with at least one species of rare earth ion in the range of 5 to 75 wt %. In another embodiment, the core is doped with Er 3+ in the range of 7 to 9 wt % and with Yb 3+ in the range of 11 to 13 wt %.
1. An optical amplifier, comprising a waveguide including a core and a cladding, the cladding at least partially surrounding the core, in which the core is doped with Er 3+ in the range of 7 to 9 wt % and is additionally doped with Yb 3+ in the range of 11 to 13 wt %.
2. The amplifier of claim 1 , in which:
the waveguide is connected to receive an optical signal to be amplified; and
the waveguide is connected to receive optical pump power of a wavelength that stimulates the Er 3− and the Yb 3+ .
3. The amplifier of claim 2 , in which the optical signal to be amplified has a wavelength in the range of 1.5 μm to 1.7 μm.
4. The amplifier of claim 1 , in which the waveguide has a length between about 1 millimeter and about 10 millimeters.
5. The amplifier of claim 1 , in which the waveguide additionally comprises one of phosphate glass, tellurite glass, and borate glass.
6. The amplifier of claim 1 , in which the cladding is doped with Er 3+ in the range of 7 to 9 wt % and Yb 3+ in the range of 11 to 13 wt %.
7. The amplifier of claim 6 , in which the core is additionally doped with silver atoms.