OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS

摘要

An optical amplifier comprises a silicon-based substrate (1) having a gain region (7) for amplifying an optical signal and a rare earth based organic light-emitting device (13) for producing excited rare earth ions in the gain region. The optical signal may be amplified by stimulated emission from the excited rare earth ions. When the rare earth is erbium the optical amplifier can provide amplification at 1.5 mu m. Where the rare-earth ion is neodymium it can provide amplification at 1.3 mu m.