Abstract:
The invention relates to an optical fibre comprising a gain medium which is equipped with: a core (22) which is formed from a transparent material and nanoparticles (24) comprising a doping element and at least one element for enhancing the use of said doping element; and an outer sheath (26) which surrounds the core. The invention is characterised in that the doping element is erbium (Er) and in that the enhancing element is selected from among antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi) and a combination of antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi). According to the invention, one such fibre is characterised in that the size of the nanoparticles is variable and included between 1 and 500 nanometers and preferably greater than 20 nm.
Abstract:
A sol-gel method of preparing a powder for use in forming a glass is provided, along with methods of preparing glasses and glass fibers from the powder. The inventive method allows for the incorporation of a wide range of elements and compositions into a homogeneous glass or glass fiber that is substantially free of hydroxide groups. In addition, dopants incorporated into glasses prepared by the inventive method are uniformly distributed throughout the glass structure.
Abstract:
An optical article including a core; at least one cladding layer; and a narrow fluorine reservoir between the core and the cladding layer. The fluorine reservoir has a higher concentration of fluorine than either the cladding layer or the core. One particular embodiment includes a core including a halide-doped silicate glass that comprises approximately the following in cation-plus-halide mole percent 0.25-5 mol% Al2O3, 0.05-1.5 mol% La2O3, 0.0005-0.75 mol% Er2O3, 0.5-6 mol% F, 0-1 mol% Cl.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber and the resulting article. The method including the steps of: providing a substrate tube; depositing high purity silica-based cladding layers on the inside of the tube; depositing a germanium-free core comprising a glass including silica, and oxides of Al, La, Er, and Tm; collapsing the substrate tube to form a preform; and drawing the preform to yield an optical fiber. A germanium-free co-doped silicate optical waveguide in accordance with the present invention includes a core material comprising silica, aluminum, lanthanum, erbium and thulium, wherein the concentration of Er is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm; Al is from 0.5 mol% to 15 mol%; La is less than 2 mol%; and Tm is from 150 ppm to 10000 ppm. In an exemplary specific embodiment the concentration of Al is from 4 mol% to 10 mol%; and the concentration of Tm is from 150 ppm to 3000 ppm. The core may further include F. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of F is less than or equal to 6 mol%. The waveguide may be an optical fiber, a shaped fiber or other light-guiding waveguides. An amplifier according to the present invention includes the optical fiber described above.
Abstract:
A sol-gel process for producing dry porous metal oxide monoliths, e.g., silica glass monoliths, in which the successive process steps of gelling, aging and drying all occur within a mold formed of a porous non-organic-polymer material, e.g., graphite. The mold is inert to the gel solution and has sufficient strength to withstand the temperatures and pressures encountered during the process. The mold and gel thereby can remain within a sealed autoclave during these process steps, and mechanical handling of the mold and the gel are minimized. This substantially enhances the process' efficiency. Alternatively, the mold can have a non-porous inner skin to enhance ease of cleaning of the mold, and of removal of the gel.
Abstract:
A sol-gel method of preparing a powder for use in forming a glass is provided, along with methods of preparing glasses and glass fibers from the powder. The inventive method allows for the incorporation of a wide range of elements and compositions into a homogeneous glass or glass fiber that is substantially free of hydroxide groups. In addition, dopants incorporated into glasses prepared by the inventive method are uniformly distributed throughout the glass structure.