Abstract
Two novel glass compositions aimed at improving the quantum efficiency and gain of the 1.3 mu m praseodymium-doped fibre amplifier (PDFA) were developed and investigated. The two glasses were compositions based on cadmium halide and gallium fluoride. Both bulk glass samples and core-clad fibre structures were fabricated and studied. A variety of measurements have been carried out in order to assess the potential of these glasses as hosts for PDFA. The results were used to perform a detailed modelling of the projected amplifier characteristics. Both glasses are judged to be promising candidates for the second generation of 1.3 mu m PDFAs.