Simulation of mid-IR amplification in Er3+-doped chalcogenide microstructured optical fiber

This paper deals with the design of an erbium doped microstructured optical fiber (MOF) amplifier operating in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelength range, more precisely around 4.5 μm wavelength. A home-made numerical code which solves the rate equations and the power propagation equations has been ad hoc developed to theoretically investigate the feasibility of mid-IR MOF amplifier. On the basis of the measured energy level transition parameters of a Er3+-doped Ga5Ge20Sb10S65 chalcogenide glass, the amplifier feasibility is demonstrated exhibiting high gain and low noise figure.