Strip-loaded structure for ion-exchanged Er3+-doped glass waveguide amplifiers

A new strip-loaded structure for ion-exchanged waveguide amplifiers in Er3+-doped glass is suggested The fabrication of these waveguides lacks steps such as mask deposition and burial process that can be critical for some glasses. A simple numerical modeling shows that similar, or even higher, gain values as in ion-exchanged buried waveguides can be achieved. Preliminary experimental data for the fabrication of the strip-loaded structure are also reported.