EXTREME BROAD BANDWIDTH ERBIUM DOPED AMPLIFIER

摘要

In a method of amplifying optical input signals over a wide bandwidth, the optical input signals are applied to an optical waveguide (810) made from a rare-earth-doped amorphous yttrium aluminum oxide material (e.g., erbium-doped yttrium aluminum oxide material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths shorter than 1,520 nanometers and optical signals having wavelengths longer than 1,610 nanometers. Pump light is applied to the optical waveguide (810) to cause the waveguide to provide optical gain to the optical input signals. The optical gain causes the optical signals to be amplified within the waveguide to provide amplified optical signals over the extended range from approximately 1,480 nanometers to approximately 1,650 nanometers, including, in particular, optical signals having wavelengths shorter than 1,520 nanometers and optical signals having wavelengths longer than 1,610 nanometers.