SBIR Phase I: Rare Earth Doped Polymer Optical Fiber Amplifiers

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This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate optical amplification in a single-mode polymer optical fiber. Phase I will: 1) incorporate various rare earth chelates into polymer systems; 2) demonstrate amplification in the material; 3) make a polymer fiber with a rare-earth core; and 4) demonstrate amplification in the fiber. Single mode polymer optical fiber waveguides will be made with a mode profile that matches that of standard silica glass fiber, thus making the amplifier fiber compatible with existing fiber-optic components. Besides applications in phased array radar, these amplifiers are expected to impact the long-haul fiber amplifier business, but it's largest impact will be in small and regional network applications, particularly for fiber-to-the-neighborhood and fiber-to-the-curb uses. The new technology will also impact the amplifier market for local intranets, as well as provide cost-effective amplifier solutions for small networks and hybrid fiber-coax cable TV systems.