Optimized Design of Yb3+/Er3+-Codoped Phosphate Microring Resonator Amplifiers

Abstract

A precise model to numerically analyse the performance of a highly Yb 3+ /Er 3+-codoped phosphate glass microringresonator (MRR) is presented. This model assumes resonant behaviour inside the ring for both pump and signal powers and considers the coupled evolution of the rare earth (RE) ions population densities and the optical powers that propagate inside the MRR. Energy-transfer inter-atomic processes that become enhanced by required high-dopant concentrations have to be carefully considered in the numerical design. The model is used to calculate the performance of an active add-dropfilter and the more significant parameters are analysed in order to achieve an optimized design. Finally, the model is used to determine the practical requirements for amplification and oscillation in a highly Yb 3+ /Er 3+-codoped phosphate glass MRR side-coupled to two straight waveguides for pump and signal input/output. In particular, the influence of dopant concentration, additional coupling losses and the structure symmetry are fully discussed.