Optical amplification of Eu(DBM)_3Phen-doped polymer optical fiber

A preform technique is used to prepare a step-index (SI) polymer optical fiber (POF) doped with EuDBM3Phen. The gain (5.7 dB) at 613 nm of the doped SI POF with Eu3+ content of 4000 in 106 wt., 0.4-mm core diameter, and 30-cm fiber length is observed at ambient temperature by end pumping with a YAG at 355 nm. The input signal light is ∼0.2 W. The results show the possibility of signal gain in a rare-earth-doped POF amplifier and the potential of a polymer doped with rare-earth ions as an active optical device.