Abstract
In quest of a high-power optical amplifier in the visible, we incorporated organic dyes into polymer optical fibers. Organic dyes were chosen as gain media based on the following features: a large emission cross section, which allows the achievement of high gains in a short length, and a broadband fluorescence spectrum that provides wide tunability. A Rhodamine B-doped POFA, 1 m in length and 0.3mm in core diameter, has exhibited more than 20dB gain at signal wavelengths from 560nm to 600nm when optically pumped at a wavelength of 532nm. Furthermore, we have obtained the optical amplification covering most of the spectral range from 560nm to 650nm. The spectral range in the visible can be continuously covered with the POFAs doped with several selected dyes. The broad spectral coverage demonstrates the versatility of the organic dye-doped POFA.
