Praseodymium ion doped phosphate glasses for integrated broadband ion-exchanged waveguide amplifier

Abstract Effective near-infrared emission covering the fifth optical telecommunication window (1380–1525 nm) has been observed in Pr3+-doped phosphate (NMAP) glasses. Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω2 (6.38 × 10−20 cm2), Ω4 (20.30 × 10−20 cm2) and Ω6 (0.40 × 10−20 cm2) indicate a high inversion asymmetrical and strong covalent environment in the optical glasses. The effective bandwidth ( Δ λ eff ) of the corresponding 1D2 → 1G4 transition emission is obtained to be 124 nm, and the maximum stimulated emission cross-section (σem-max) at 1468 nm is derived to be 1.14 × 10−20 cm2. Channel waveguide was fabricated successfully by K+–Na+ ion-exchange method with mode field diameter of 8.8 μm in the horizontal direction and 6.7 μm in the vertical direction. Broad effective bandwidth, large emission cross-section and perfect thermal ion-exchangeability indicate that Pr3+-doped NMAP phosphate glasses are promising in developing integrated broadband waveguide amplifier, especially operating at E- and S-bands which belong to the fifth optical telecommunication window.