OPTICAL FIBER OR WAVEGUIDE AMPLIFIERS AND OPTICALLY ACTIVE DEVICES THEREFOR

摘要

An optically active device comprising an optical fiber, a light source and an optical device is disclosed. The optical fiber comprises a core made of an optical functioning glass doped with Pr3+ as an active ion and transmits light at a first wavelength. The light source generates excitation light at a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. The optical device directs the excitation light from the light source into the optical fiber. Then, Pr3+ in the core of the optical fiber is stimulated to emit light at the second wavelength. As a result, an optical function such as optical amplification can be effected at the second wavelength.