Open AccessStudy of an efficient longitudinal multimode pumping scheme for Si-nc sensitized EDWAs
Author(s) -
V. Toccafondo,
F. Di Pasquale,
S. Faralli,
N. Daldosso,
L. Pavesi,
Hugo E. Hernandez-Figueroa
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.014907
Subject(s) - multi mode optical fiber , materials science , amplifier , optical pumping , optics , nanoclusters , waveguide , erbium , population , population inversion , optical amplifier , optoelectronics , physics , optical fiber , doping , laser , nanotechnology , cmos , demography , sociology
We present an efficient multimode longitudinal pumping scheme which overcomes the main limitations of single-mode longitudinal pumping as well as top pumping in Si-nanoclusters sensitized Erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers. The proposed configuration is based on evanescent pump light coupling from a multimode waveguide to a Si-nanoclusters sensitized Er(3+)-doped active core. Theoretical predictions, based on propagation and population-rate equations for the coupled Er(3+)/Sinanoclusters system, point out that the proposed pumping scheme can provide high pump intensity within the active core, also ensuring good uniformity of the population inversion along the waveguide amplifier. Although longitudinal multimode pumping by high power LEDs in the visible can potentially lead to low cost integrated amplifiers, further material optimization is required. In particular, we show that when dealing with high pump intensities, confined carrier absorption seriously affects the amplifier performance, and an optimization of both Si-nc and Er(3+) concentrations is necessary.