Hypersensitization of rare-earth-doped waveguides for distributed-feedback amplifier and laser applications

Deterioration of the gain coefficient as a result of UV processing of hydrogen-loaded Er(3+) - and Er(3+)/Yb (3+) -doped silicate optical waveguides can be reduced by initial hypersensitization of the waveguide prior to bulk irradiation. This allows improved performance in active-grating devices such as distributed-feedback fiber amplifiers and lasers.