Spotlights on Optical-waveguides and Integrated Optical Devices Based on Rare-earth Doped Glasses

During the last years, the spreading of optical networks toward the final customers has triggered the research and development of compact and integrated optical devices. A growing activity in this field is aimed to develop optical amplifiers in planar format based on rare-earth-activated glasses. This paper presents some results in Er/Yb-doped silica-based planar waveguides prepared by two different technological routes: sol-gel and rf-sputtering. Optical and spectroscopic assessment of the different systems are reported as well as some preliminary example of rib waveguides produced by photolithography and etching process.