Synthesis and characterization of Er2O3-doped Y2O3 nanoparticle incorporated optical fiber for use as optical amplifier

Erbium oxide (Er₂O₃)-doped optical fibers (EDF) are well-known for their applications in optical amplification at 1550 nm. In this study, we present the synthesis of Er₂O₃-doped yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) using a homogeneous coprecipitation technique and their integration into optical fibers for enhanced optical amplification. A series of NP samples with varying Y/Er molar ratios were synthesized to identify the optimal composition for incorporation into optical fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the nanoparticles crystallize in a cubic geometry (space group Ia3) with crystallite sizes ranging from 20 to 41 nm. These sizes increased approximately to 90 nm as the calcination temperature was raised from 1000°C to 1400°C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) corroborated the XRD results, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed the crystalline structure and an average particle size of approximately 100 nm. Photoluminescence studies showed that emission and excitation intensities were functions of the Y/Er molar concentration ratio and calcination temperature, with the lifetime extending up to 6.86 ms for a sample with a 0.25:0.01 Y₂O₃:Er₂O₃ ratio calcined at 1400°C. To assess the performance of the synthesized NPs, an optical preform was prepared using the Vapor Phase Delivery (VPD) method combined with the Solution Doping (SD) technique. The preform was then drawn into fiber, and its amplification performance was evaluated. The resulting fiber demonstrated efficient amplification with a gain of 14.9 dB with respect to 0 dBm input signal at 1550 nm under 150 mW pump power from 9 m active fiber, indicating its potential as a gain medium for constructing erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).