SBIR Phase II: Laser Direct-Writing Technique to Produce Integrated Optical Amplifier/Splitter

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This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)Phase II project will continue the successfulwork from the Phase I project and develop integrated amplifier/splitters through laserdirect writing of wet-chemically derived, erbium-doped coatings. Precursor solutions willbe mixed on the molecular level to produce pure and homogeneous materials. Waveguidestructures will be written into the erbium-doped fluoride coatings with a laser, whichraises its index of refraction to confine light. The erbium-doped channel waveguides willbe pumped with a 980 nm source to amplify 1550 nm signals.Markets in which integrated optical devices, such as amplified splitters, can be usedtotal several $100 million. This device will expedite bringing fiber the last mile becauseit will replace the current serial arrangement of discrete splitters and amplifiers, whichis bulky and expensive due to the number of components and interconnects. The proposedintegration techniques will also enable optical integrated circuits and next-generationcomputing.Prototypes will be fabricated during Phase II. TPL has extensive experience inwet-chemical processing and demonstrated ability to commercialize its technologies. The PIis a pioneering researcher of laser-fired, sol-gel derived films. LightPath Technologieswill assist TPL with device and marketing development.