Method of amplifying optical signals using erbium-doped materials with extremely broad bandwidths

A method for amplifying of optical input signals, said method comprising:

• inputting the optical input signals to an optical waveguide comprising a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material, said optical input signals including at least one optical signal having a wavelength less than 1,520 nanometers;
• and
• applying pump light to said optical waveguide to cause said waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said one optical signal is amplified.

A method for amplifying optical input signals, said method comprising:

• inputting the optical input signals to an optical waveguide comprising a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material, said optical input signals including at least one optical signal having a wavelength greater than 1,610 nanometers;
• and
• applying pump light to said optical waveguide to cause said waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said one optical signal is amplified.

An optical amplifier which amplifies optical input signals over an extended optical bandwidth, said optical amplifier comprising:

• an optical pump source which provides optical pump light;
• and
• an optical waveguide comprising a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material, said optical waveguide optically coupled to receive said optical pump light from said optical pump source, said optical waveguide receiving optical input signals having a plurality of wavelengths, said optical input signals including at least a first optical signal having a wavelength that is less than 1,520 nanometers and including at least a second optical signal having a wavelength that is greater than 1,610 nanometers, said pump light having a pump wavelength and intensity at the pump wavelength which causes said optical waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said first optical signal and said second optical signal are amplified.

An optical amplifier which amplifies optical input signals, said optical amplifier comprising:

• an optical pump source which provides optical pump light;
• and
• an optical waveguide comprising a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material, said optical waveguide optically coupled to receive said optical pump light from said optical pump source, said optical waveguide receiving optical input signals having a plurality of wavelengths, said optical input signals including at least one optical signal having a wavelength that is less than 1,520 nanometers, said pump light having a pump wavelength and intensity at the pump wavelength which causes said optical waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said one optical signal is amplified.

An optical amplifier which amplifies optical input signals, said optical amplifier comprising:

• an optical pump source which provides optical pump light;
• an optical waveguide comprising a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material, said optical waveguide optically coupled to receive said optical pump light from said optical pump source, said optical waveguide receiving optical input signals having a plurality of wavelengths, said optical input signals including at least one optical signal having a wavelength that is greater than 1,610 nanometers, said pump light having a pump wavelength and intensity at the pump wavelength which causes said optical waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said one optical signal is amplified.