Active Optical Fibers Doped with Ceramic Nanocrystals

Jan Mrazek,Pavel Peterka,Jan Aubrecht,Martin Nikl,Ivan Kasik,Lenka Prochazkova,Vaclav Cuba,Jakub Cajzl,Ondrej Podrazky

doi:10.15598/aeee.v12i6.1191

Abstract

Erbium-doped active optical fiber was successfully prepared by incorporation of ceramic nanocrystals inside a core of optical fiber. Modified chemical vapor deposition was combined with solution-doping approach to preparing preform. Instead of inorganic salts erbium-doped yttrium-aluminium garnet nanocrystals were used in the solution-doping process. Prepared preform was drawn into single-mode optical fiber with a numerical aperture 0.167. Optical and luminescence properties of the fiber were analyzed. Lasing ability of prepared fiber was proofed in a fiber-ring set-up. Optimal laser properties were achieved for a fiber length of 20~m. The slope efficiency of the fiber-laser was about 15%. Presented method can be simply extended to the deposition of other ceramic nanomaterials.

Highlights

During last fifty years, which have passed from the realization of the first fiber laser [1], fiber lasers have been established as an inherent part of number of advanced photonic devices
We present a versatile method providing an erbium-doped fiber distributed inside a lattice of nanocrystalline yttrium aluminium garnet
Conventional modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) method was combined with a solutiondoping deposition of ceramic nanocrystals of erbiumdoped yttrium aluminium garnet which were prepared by photo-induced synthesis

Summary

Introduction

During last fifty years, which have passed from the realization of the first fiber laser [1], fiber lasers have been established as an inherent part of number of advanced photonic devices. Conventional process combines modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD), to prepare porous silica frit of ultra high purity, with solution-doping approach. Recent processing trends modify solution-doping approach or fully replace it, e.g. by aerosol deposition. Popular modification of solutiondoping approach is based on the replacement of inorganic salts by inorganic nanoparticles Such a simple modification can significantly improve properties of glass matrix [7], [8] improving the optical properties of optical fibers. Suitable method to prepare ceramic nanocrystals with required properties is a photo-induced synthesis [9], [10]. Conventional MCVD method was combined with a solutiondoping deposition of ceramic nanocrystals of erbiumdoped yttrium aluminium garnet which were prepared by photo-induced synthesis. Achieved results were compared with properties of fibers prepared by a conventional solution doping method

Materials and Sample Preparation

Characterization Techniques

Characterization of Preform

Optical Properties of the Fiber

Characterization of the Fiber-Laser

Conclusion