Praseodymium ion doped phosphate glasses for integrated broadband ion-exchanged waveguide amplifier

Effective near-infrared emission covering the fifth optical telecommunication window (1380-1525 nm) has been observed in Pr3+-doped phosphate (NMAP) glasses. Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega(2) (6.38 X 10 (20) cm(2)), Omega(4) (20.30 X 10 (20) cm(2)) and Omega(6) (0.40 X 10 (20) cm(2)) indicate a high inversion asymmetrical and strong covalent environment in the optical glasses. The effective bandwidth (Delta lambda(eff)) of the corresponding D-1(2) -> (1)G(4) transition emission is obtained to be 124 nm, and the maximum stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(em-max)) at 1468 nm is derived to be 1.14 X 10 (20) cm(2). Channel waveguide was fabricated successfully by K+-Na+ ion-exchange method with mode field diameter of 8.8 mu m in the horizontal direction and 6.7 mu m in the vertical direction. Broad effective bandwidth, large emission cross-section and perfect thermal ion-exchangeability indicate that Pr3+-doped NMAP phosphate glasses are promising in developing integrated broadband waveguide amplifier, especially operating at E- and S-bands which belong to the fifth optical telecommunication window. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.