摘要 |
An optical fiber includes a central core and an optical cladding. The central core includes a core matrix surrounding nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include rare earths, a nanoparticle matrix, and an outer layer. The nanoparticle matrix surrounds the rare earths, and the outer layer surrounds the nanoparticle matrix. The atomic ratio of nanoparticle matrix atoms other than oxygen to rare earth atoms is typically between about 300 and 1,000. The outer layer, which typically has a thickness of between about 1 nanometer and 2 nanometers, includes an outer layer matrix that is substantially free from rare earths. |