Abstract

Erbium-ytterbium (Er³⁺-Yb³⁺) codoped glass is an attractive system for short, efficient lasers and amplifiers operating in the long-haul telecommunications range. The pump absorption near 980 nm is increased, and efficient energy transfer between the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions enables the operation of compact laser devices with low erbium concentrations. This mechanism was first demonstrated by Snitzer in bulk glass.¹ More recently, Er³⁺ -Yb³⁺ co-doped fiber lasers² and planar waveguide lasers and amplifiers have been demonstrated in silicate^3–4 and phosphate⁵ glass. We present simple methods that can be used to model the Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ codoped glass system and predict laser performance. Experimental results for fabricated waveguide laser devices are discussed.

© 1996 Optical Society of America