Optical fiber amplifiers based on PbS/CdS QDs modified by polymers

Optical fiber amplifiers based on PbS/CdS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) modified by an amphiphilic polymer were demonstrated. Well-defined QDs and an amphiphilic copolymer were first prepared and the amphiphilic copolymer was then used to disperse the QDs into silica sol to allow uniform and reproducible incorporation of QDs into the silica coating of the optical fibers. QD-doped silica sol was deposited on the fusion tapered fiber coupler via dip-coating. A 1550 nm semiconductor light emitting diode as the signal source and a 980 nm laser diode as the pump source were injected into the fiber coupler simultaneously. Through evanescent wave excitation, a signal gain as high as 8 dB was obtained within the wavelength range between 1450 and 1650 nm. In addition, the optical fiber amplifiers based on PbS/CdS QDs showed enhanced thermal stability when compared to amplifiers based on PbS QDs.