US4962995A
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US
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Glasses for high efficiency erbium (3+) optical fiber lasers, amplifiers, and superluminescent sources
Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-16
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2009-06-16
Abstract
Abstract Glass compositions for high efficiency erbium 3+ -doped optical fiber lasers, amplifiers and superluminescent sources are optimized for pumping by high power solid state lasers in the vicinity of 800 nm to provide amplified signals in wavelengths between 1.5 and 1.7 microns, a principal telecommunications window. A number of suitable host glasses for doping with erbium 3+ are identified wherein the excited state absorption/ground state absorption intensity ratio calculated at 800 nm is 1.00 or less.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard J. Andrews
- 👤 William J. Miniscalco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/06708; H01S3/06716; C; C03; C03C; C03C13/00; C03C13/04; C03C13/041; C03C13/042; C03C3/00; C03C3/12; C03C3/23; C03C3/247; C03C3/32; C03C3/325; H01S3/06795; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/17; H01S3/173; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S501/00; Y10S501/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the 4 I 15/2 electronic state of Er 3+ .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the 4 I 15/2 electronic state of Er 3+ .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluoride glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 4 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 54 mole % ZrF 4 , 15.5 mole % NaF, 2.5 mole % InF 3 , 3.5 mole % AlF 3 , 3.5 mole % LaF 3 , and 1.0 mole % ErF 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier having an emission between 1.50 and 1.7 micrometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fluorozirconate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 4 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 8 wherein said fluorophosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 8 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 41.5 mole % LiF, 32 mole % BaF 2 , 16 mole % Al(PO 2 ) 3 , 10 mole % LiO 2 , and 0.5 mole % of one of ErF 3 and ErO 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier being adapted to amplify at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 8 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 25 mole % AlF 3 , 13 mole % NaPO 3 , 20 mole % MgF 2 , 20 mole % CaF 2 , 20 mole % BaF 2 , 1 mole % LaF 3 and 1 mole % of one of Er 2 O 3 and ErF 3 ; said optical fiber amplifier being adapted to amplify at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber amplifier system amplifying at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 12 wherein said phosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 12 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 12 wherein the composition of said glass consists essentially of 45 mole % P 2 O 5 , 4.3 mole % Al 2 O 5 , 25 mole % Li 2 O, 25 mole % Na 2 O, and 0.5 mole % Er 2 O 3 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber laser system lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the 4 I 15/2 electronic state of Er 3+ .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber laser system lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the 4 I 15/2 electronic state of Er 3+ .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 16 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 16 wherein said fluoride glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said fiber laser lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said fiber laser lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 19 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 54 mole % ZrF 4 , 15.5 mole % NaF, 2.5 mole % InF 3 , 3.5 mole % AlF 3 , 3.5 mole % LaF 3 , and 1.0 mole % ErF 3 ; said optical fiber laser having an emission between 1.50 and 1.7 micrometers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 19 wherein said fluorozirconate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 19 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber laser system lasing as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber laser system lasing as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 23 wherein said fluorophosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
98 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 23 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 41.5 mole % LiF, 32 mole % BaF 2 , 16 mole % Al(PO 2 ) 3 , 10 mole % LiO 2 , and 0.5 mole % of one of ErF 3 and ErO 3 ; said optical fiber laser being adapted to lase at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
111 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 23 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 25 mole % AlF 3 , 13 mole % NaPO 3 , 20 mole % MgF 2 , 20 mole % CaF 2 , 20 mole % BaF 2 , 1 mole % LaF 3 and 1 mole % of one of Er 2 O 3 and ErF 3 ; said optical fiber laser being adapted to lase at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber laser system lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser system, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber laser system lasing at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 27 wherein said phosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 27 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber laser in accordance with claim 27 wherein the composition of said glass consists essentially of 45 mole % P 2 O 5 , 4.3 mole % Al 2 O 5 , 25 mole % Li 2 O, 25 mole % Na 2 O, and 0.5 mole % Er 2 O 3 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
67 words
A glass composition in an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
67 words
A glass composition in an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a fluoride glass containing one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 31 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 31 wherein said fluoride glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
68 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
68 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorozirconate glass containing ErF 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
71 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 34 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 54 mole % ZrF 4 , 15.5 mole % NaF, 2.5 mole % InF 3 , 3.5 mole % AlF 3 , 3.5 mole % LaF 3 , and 1.0 mole % ErF 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source having an emission between 1.50 and 1.7 micrometers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 34 wherein said fluorozirconate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, zinc, beryllium, barium, aluminum, cadmium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 34 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
76 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen, fluorine, and one of ErF 3 and Er 2 O 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
42 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 38 wherein said fluorophosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
100 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 38 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 41.5 mole % LiF, 32 mole % BaF 2 , 16 mole % Al(PO 2 ) 3 , 10 mole % LiO 2 , and 0.5 mole % of one of ErF 3 and ErO 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source being adapted to emit at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
113 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 38 wherein said composition of said glass consists essentially of 25 mole % AlF 3 , 13 mole % NaPO 3 , 20 mole % MgF 2 , 20 mole % CaF 2 , 20 mole % BaF 2 , 1 mole % LaF 3 and 1 mole % of one of Er 2 O 3 and ErF 3 ; said optical fiber superluminescent source being adapted to emit at a wavelength between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
73 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source, said optical fiber having an active medium comprising a glass having a composition consisting essentially of a phosphate glass containing phosphorous, oxygen and Er 2 O 3 , said optical fiber superluminescent source emitting at a wavelength as a result of a transition from the electronic state 4 I 13/2 of Er 3+ to the electronic state 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ .
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 42 wherein said phosphate glass comprises a cation of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Ln, Pb, and combinations thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 42 wherein said wavelength is between 1.5 and 1.7 micrometers when the Er 3+ 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition is pumped by a laser in the vicinity of 800 nm.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
60 words
A glass composition for an optical fiber superluminescent source in accordance with claim 42 wherein the composition of said glass consists essentially of 45 mole % P 2 O 5 , 4.3 mole % Al 2 O 5 , 25 mole % Li 2 O, 25 mole % Na 2 O, and 0.5 mole % Er 2 O 3 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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