Boosting the Downconversion Luminescence of Tm<sup>3+</sup>-Doped Nanoparticles for S-Band Polymer Waveguide Amplifier
Ying Chen, Jiashuo Wei, Jiacheng Zhang, Haiyi Qiu, Yimei Zhang, Jiahui Zhang, Han Duan, Qiuqiang Zhan, Guanshi Qin, Fei Wang, Kezhi Zheng
Abstract
Polymer waveguide devices have attracted increasing interest in several rapidly developing areas of broadband communications since they are easily adaptable to on-chip integration and promise low propagation losses. As a key member of the waveguide gain medium, lanthanide doped nanoparticles have been intensively studied to improve the downconversion luminescence. However, current research efforts are almost confined to erbium-doped nanoparticles and amplifiers operating at the C-band; boosting the downconversion luminescence of Tm 3+ for S-band optical amplification still remains a challenge. Here we report a Tb 3+ -induced deactivation control to enhance Tm 3+ downconversion luminescence in a stoichiometric Yb lattice without suffering from concentration quenching. We also demonstrate their potential application in an S-band waveguide amplifier and record a maximum optical gain of 18 dB at 1464 nm. Our findings provide valuable insights into the fundamental understanding of deactivation-controlled luminescence enhancement and open up a new avenue toward the development of an S-band polymer waveguide amplifier with high gain.