| abstract |
An optical fibre amplifier, laser or superluminescent source, consisting of a chalcogenide glass matrix hosting trivalent rare earth ions and which is doped with oxide in the form of a metallic oxide. The device utilizes the properties of the added oxide to improve the fabrication and efficiency of optical waveguide sources, in particular for applications around 1.3 νm. Specifically, the oxide broadens the wavelenght range for pump absorption, broadens the wavelength range for light emission, increases the device efficiency through a change in lifetime of certain laser levels and modifies properties of the glass to prevent crystallization during fibre fabrication. The device exploits the intentional addition of oxide to improve amplifier, laser, glass and fibre properties. |