Research on CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots-Doped Polymer Fibers and Their Gain Characteristics

Polymer fibers are considered ideal transmission media for all-optical networks, but their high intrinsic loss significantly limits their practical use. Quantum dot-doped polymer fiber amplifiers are emerging as a promising solution to this issue and are becoming a significant focus of research in both academia and industry. Based on the properties of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and PMMA material, this study experimentally explores three fabrication methods for CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped PMMA fibers: hollow fiber filling, melt-drawing, and melt extrusion. The advantages and disadvantages of each method and key issues in fiber fabrication are analyzed. Utilizing the CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped PMMA fibers that were fabricated, we theoretically analyzed the key factors affecting gain performance, including fiber length, quantum dots doping concentration, and signal light intensity. Under the conditions of 1.5 W power and 445 nm laser pumping, a maximum on-off gain of 16.2 dB was experimentally achieved at 635 nm. Additionally, using a white light LED as the signal source, a broadband on-off gain with a bandwidth exceeding 70 nm and a maximum gain of 12.4 dB was observed in the 580–650 nm range. This research will contribute to the development of quantum dots-doped fiber devices and broadband optical communication technology, providing more efficient solutions for future optical communication networks.