Er3+/Yb3+ doped active optic Y splitter realized by diffusion waveguides with Ag+-Na+ ion exchange

Abstract

We reported on the active channel waveguides, formed in novel types of silicate glasses, doped with rare-earth elements, and Zn were investigated. The silicate glass GZ4 with Er3+ and Yb3+ content was studied, and the best doping ratio was estimated about luminescent properties. The composition of the glass samples (GZ4) with the content of 0.25 mol.% Er2O3 and 5.0 mol.% Yb2O3 and 12.0 mol.% resp. 18.0 mol.% ZnO was optimized. This glass was evaluated as the most suitable material for integrated amplifiers in the 1 530-1 565 nm telecommunication band. Other samples were prepared with active channel waveguides and active planar optical power splitter Y with a splitting ratio of 1x2 by two-step ion-exchange Na+<-> Ag+. Diffusion profiles of the created samples were analyzed by the EMA microscope and compared with the near mode-field distribution measurement results. Afterward, the amplification properties of the designed structures were studied, and the differential gain from 1.2 to 1.6 dB (0.48 to 0.64 dB/cm) was achieved by pumping power 200 mW at 980 nm.