Energy transfer between Er3+ and Pr3+ in chalcogenide glasses for dual-wavelength fiber-optic amplifiers

Abstract

Ge-As-Ga-S glasses codoped with Er3+ and Pr3+ were synthesized for fiber-optic amplifiers operating in both 1.3 and 1.5 mum communication windows. The energy transfer between Er3+ and Pr3+ in Ge-As-Ga-S glasses was analyzed quantitatively using rate equations. The energy transfer coefficients responsible for two different energy transfer routes were 2.2(+/-0.05)x10(-18) (Er3+:I-4(11/2)-->Pr3+:(1)G(4)) and 5.6(+/-0.05)x10(-17) s(-1) cm(3) (Er3+:I-4(13/2)-->Pr3+:F-3(4,3)), respectively. The former transfer process enhanced amplification efficiency in 1.3 mum band, while the latter reduced efficiency in the 1.5 mum band. Numerical simulation of the amplification characteristics demonstrated that signal gains of 30 and 40 dB were possible in 1.3 and 1.5 mum bands, respectively. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.