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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将通过直接写入溶胶-凝胶衍生的掺铒涂层来开发集成光学放大器/分路器。由于光信号随着传输和处理而减少，因此需要使用放大器。目前的设计包括无源器件(分路器)和有源器件(放大器)的串联布置。由于组件和互连的数量，这种系列设计既笨重又昂贵。集成的光器件将极大地简化光通信网络。第一阶段将把放大集成到无源设备中，例如分路器，从而产生无损光学设备。为了提供放大作用，铒将通过湿化学处理加入到陶瓷薄膜中。随后，激光照射将选择性地致密多孔涂层中的通道，从而局部增加折射率并在通道中提供光包容。泵浦平面器件将在信号通过时放大信号。集成放大器/分路器中的这项技术将是制造更复杂的电信集成光电路的关键。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop integrated optical amplifier/splitters through direct writing of sol-gel-derived, erbium-doped coatings. Since optical signals decrease with transmission and manipulation, amplifiers are required. Current designs involve serial arrangements of passive (splitters) and active devices (amplifiers). This serial design is bulky and expensive, due to the number of components and interconnects. Integrated optical devices would greatly simplify optical communication networks. Phase I will incorporate amplification into passive devices, such as splitters, resulting in lossless optical devices. To provide amplification, erbium will be incorporated into ceramic films via wet-chemical processing. Subsequently, laser irradiation will selectively densify channels in porous coatings, thereby locally increasing the refractive index and providing light containment in the channels. Pumping the planar device will amplify signals as they pass.This technology in integrated amplifier/splitters will be key to making more complex integrated optical circuits in telecommunication.