Tight packaging of erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers

Abstract

A numerical model for erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers (EDWAs) containing bent waveguides was developed. The model uses rate-propagation equations and takes into account bend-induced losses in the waveguide with a varying radius of curvature. It is applied to the design of tightly packed erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers under two constraints: minimization of the area required to obtain a predetermined gain and maximization of the gain available from a given area. Numerical calculations based on realistic waveguide parameters demonstrate the possibility of fabricating high-gain, small-size EDWAs. Simple design rules, based on geometric formulas and consideration of bend losses, are given and compared with the results of numerical calculations.

Erbium‐doped integrated waveguide amplifiers and lasers

“…Therefore, the potential for miniature devices in combination with our recent results suggests a promising future for this material [224]. EDWA layout optimization has been investigated taking into account the waveguide geometry and bend losses, with the result being a spiral or folded approach to reducing the device footprint [225][226][227][228][229]. Fig.…”