ION-EXCHANGED ER YB PHOSPHATE-GLASS WAVE-GUIDE AMPLIFIERS AND LASERS/

Characteristics of potassium-ion-exchanged channel waveguide amplifier s fabricated in a commercial phosphate glass with 1.65 wt% Er2O3 and 2 2 wt% Yb2O3 are reported. Theoretical investigations reveal that at 1. 530-mu m signal wavelength, 4.2 dB/cm can be achieved in potassium-ion -exchanged waveguides when 120-mW pump power at 974-nm wavelength is u sed. Theoretical studies predict 42% slope efficiency with 42.5-mW thr eshold pump power in a 1.0-cm-long potassium-ion-exchanged waveguide l asers in this glass. (C) 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.