CaF2:Yb3++Pr3+ codoped waveguides grown by molecular beam epitaxy for 1.3 μm applications

CaF2 :Yb3++Pr3+ codoped thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy have been studied in order to determine their ability to be used for optical amplification in telecommunication devices. The guiding behavior of the layers has been demonstrated and an increase in the refractive index has been measured for increasing Pr3+ and Yb3+ doping levels. Energy transfer between Yb3+ and Pr3+ ions has also been observed with different pump wavelengths. Room temperature 1.3 mu m emission of Pr3+ ions has been detected when pumping in the absorption band of Yb3+, where high performance laser diodes already exist. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)01808-2].