A NOVEL UNCLAD ND3-DOPED POLYMER OPTICAL-FIBER()

Neodymium octanoate was synthesized from neodymium oxides and dissolve d in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), forming a solid solution. The i nvestigation of the absorption spectrum of Nd3+-doped PMMA showed that the spectrum was similar to that of Nd3+-doped silica glasses. The Nd 3+-doped PMMA was used to draw a fiber and an unclad Nd3+-doped PMMA o ptical fiber was made. The emission output of the fiber at about 585 n m was observed under green source pumping at 532 nm by optimization of the Nd3+ concentration and the length of the fiber. Under 1 W pumping radiation, a 60 mu W output was obtained for the fiber with a Nd3+ co ncentration of 70 ppm and the length of 15 cm. (C) 1996 John Wiley & S ons, Inc.