Er³⁺ - Yb³⁺ codoped polymeric optical waveguide amplifiers

Rare earth doped polymeric waveguide amplifiers suitable for telecommunication applications were demonstrated. Electron-beam sensitive ENR polymer was codoped with Er³⁺ and Yn³⁺ rare-earth ions. Codoping with Yb³⁺ ions enhanced the Er³⁺ ions effective pump absorption cross section, and the PL spectrum showed a typical Er³⁺ ions luminescence around 1540 nm wavelength. Planar waveguide amplifiers were fabricated using electron-beam direct write process. At 110 mW pump power, an optical gain of ∼13 dB was measured in an 18 mm long device using an input signal power of -18 dB m. Rare-earth doped polymer enabled the realization of a generation of active polymer devices, and opened a platform for more functional polymer planar lightwave circuit.