Optical amplification in Er/Yb silicate strip loaded waveguide

An Er/Yb silicate strip loaded waveguide was fabricated for optical amplification purpose. A 2.4-μm-wide SiO2 strip was deposited on top of the Er/Yb silicate active layer. Experiment data showed a 5.5 dB signal enhancement in a 7.8-mm-long waveguide pumped by a laser of 372 mW at 1480 nm. The signal is not saturated and can be further enhanced by increasing pumping power and decreasing waveguide loss. The strong red light emission at 660 nm was also observed due to excited state absorption and Yb3+ participated energy transfer upconversion processes.