Method to optimize rare earth content for waveguide lasers and amplifiers
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
InventorsJoseph S. Hayden, David L. Veasey
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Abstract
The invention is directed to optical devices comprising a solid-state structured glass substrate having at least one waveguide incorporated therein, particularly waveguides and lasers incorporating such structure. The invention is also directed to methods for modifying such devices and their properties. The waveguides and lasers of the invention provide advantageous high power and increased slope efficiency and find use, for example, in telecommunications applications.
Claims19
An optical device comprising a glass substrate doped with a laser species and having one or more waveguides defined by channels in the substrate having a distinct refractive index from the substrate wherein the substrate is an alkali phosphate glass doped with Yb and Er, wherein the weight ratio of Yb:Er dopant is from 3:1 to about 8:1.
An optical device in the form of a laser which has a length of 15 mm or less, comprising a glass substrate doped with a laser species and having one or more waveguides defined by channels in the substrate having a distinct refractive index from the substrate wherein the substrate is an alkali phosphate glass doped with Yb and Er and wherein the weight ratio of Yb:Er dopant is from about 1:1 to about 8:1, and further comprising a reflecting element in association with the waveguide to provide a laser effect when pumped.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.