CaF2 : Yb3++Pr3+ codoped waveguides grown by molecular beam epitaxy for 1.3 mu m applications

CaF2 :Yb3++Pr3+ codoped thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy have bee n studied in order to determine their ability to be used for optical amplif ication in telecommunication devices. The guiding behavior of the layers ha s been demonstrated and an increase in the refractive index has been measur ed for increasing Pr3+ and Yb3+ doping levels. Energy transfer between Yb3 and Pr3+ ions has also been observed with different pump wavelengths. Room temperature 1.3 mu m emission of Pr3+ ions has been detected when pumping in the absorption band of Yb3+, where high performance laser diodes already exist. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)01808-2].