Er+3 doped glasses for laser and amplifier applications

Abstract

The Er3+ emission at 1.5 μm is used in lasers and amplifiers operating in the second optical window of telecommunication systems. Recently, broad band amplifiers for wavelength-division-multiplexing technology are of great interest in order to enhance the capacity of glass fibers. Glasses with large emission cross section and large linewidth are required [1]. The Er3+ emission transitions in the visible spectral region are used in upconversion lasers [2]. Fluoride and phosphate based glasses are known to be attractive host materials for rare earth doped devices [3,4]. Recently, heavy metal oxide (HMO) glasses have received considerable attention because of their high refractive indices. In this paper, the properties of both glass systems have been analysed with regard to laser and amplifier applications. The search for Er3+ broad band amplifier at 1.5 μm is of special interest