Optical amplifier based on an Er:MgO-doped near stoichiometric lithium niobate waveguide

We report on an optical signal amplifier based on an Er:MgO-doped near stoichiometric lithium niobate (Er:MgO:SLN) waveguide. The Er:MgO:SLN waveguide was fabricated using swift carbon ion irradiation combined with precision diamond blade dicing. Under 980 nm laser pumping, the waveguide provides a 2.13 dB/cm gain at 1536 nm, 1.49 dB/cm gain at 1552 nm, and 1.37 dB/cm gain at 1565 nm, with the pumping power of 99.5 mW. This work demonstrates the potential application of swift ion irradiated Er:MgO:SLN waveguides for the optical amplifiers in the C communication band.