Abstract

Integrated-optic devices doped with rare-earth ions have recently aroused attention because of their potential applications as specialty lasers (cw and pulsed), amplifiers, super-radiant sources for optical gyroscopes, and other active components. This technology is a natural extension of the now well-established area of rare-earth-doped optical fibers. Integrated optics, however, provides the additional advantage of two-dimensional integration and selective doping of optical circuits fabricated with very-large-scale integration (VLSI) techniques.

© 1991 Optical Society of America