THULIUM DOPED FLUORIDE FIBER AMPLIFIER FOR USE IN THE 800NM SIGNAL BAND

We propose to develop an optimized, high performance and low-cost fiber optical amlifier for use in the 800 nm signal wavelength band. The rare-earth dopant will be thulium (Tm) and the host fiber composition will be a heavy metal fluoride glass (ZBLAN). This amplifier, labeled TDFFOA, or a Thulium-Doped Fluoride Fiber Optical Amplifier, will become a key component in various lightwave systems, principally in short distance communication distribution systems in the first telecommunications window around 820 nm, and also in various fiber optical sensor systems. Our proposed TDFFOA can become a particularly sought after component because GaAlAs based transmitters and silicon receivers are already commercially available and are inexpensive when compared to those available in the 1300nm and 1550nm signal bands. The commercial availability of our optimized, high performance and low cost TDFFOAs will benefit a host of dual use technologies tremendously and have a significant impact on the short distance information intrastructure.