Top-pumped waveguide amplifier
US7075708B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/2308
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a waveguide amplifier which is comprised of silica or silica-related material co-doped with silicon nanoclusters and rare earth elements, and more particularly, to a waveguide amplifier with higher efficiency enhanced by top-pumping method and focusing means for pumping light. The waveguide amplifier of the present invention comprises of: (a) a substrate; (b) an optical waveguide including: a lower cladding layer formed on the substrate; a core layer which is made of silica or silica-related material co-doped with silicon nanoclusters and rare earth elements on the lower cladding layer and has a refractive index higher than that of the lower cladding; and an upper cladding layer formed on the core layer; and (c) a light source, spaced apart from the waveguide, for optically pumping the waveguide, wherein the waveguide amplifier operates by exciting the rare earth elements through electron-hole combinations in the silicon nanoclusters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.