Light amplification via PbS quantum dots-doped tapered fiber coupler: model and theory

Abstract

In this paper, the gain engineering of a semiconductor quantum dots fiber amplifier (SQDFA) is studied. The optical amplification is realized by exciting the PbS quantum dots coated around the tapered single-mode fiber coupler with an evanescent wave. The gain spectra and saturation properties of the SQDFA are obtained via solving the rate and coupled power equations based on the two-level model. Then, the effect of the signal wavelength, pump power and amplifier length on the saturation characteristics is numerically simulated. The obtained results show that the proposed model is in a good agreement with the previous experimental results. Unique characteristics of the SQDFA such as the broadband optical gain and smooth bandwidth are of great interest for dense wavelength-division multiplexing systems. Therefore, the proposed model show promising applications in the future fiber-optic communications.