KMnF(3):Yb(3+),Er(3+) Core-Active-Shell Nanoparticles with Broadband Down-Shifting Luminescence at 1.5 μm for Polymer-Based Waveguide Amplifiers

In this study, we prepared cubic-phase oleic-acid-coated KMnF(3): Yb(3+),Er(3+) nanoparticles (NPs) and NaYF(4):Yb(3+),Er(3+) NPs, which were about 23 nm. From the down-shifting emissions spectra of the two NPs obtained by 980 nm excitation, we observed the fact that the KMnF(3): 18%Yb(3+),1%Er(3+) NPs were a luminescent material with a broadband near-infrared emission of 1.5 μm, and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 55 cm(−1), which was wider than that of the NaYF(4): 18%Yb(3+),1% NPs. Therefore, we believe that the oleic-acid-coated KMnF(3):Yb(3+),Er(3+) NPs have great potential in fabricating broadband waveguide amplifiers. Through epitaxial growth of a KMnF(3): Yb(3+) active-shell on the core NPs, we compounded KMnF(3):Yb(3+),Er(3+)@KMnF(3):Yb(3+) core-active-shell NPs whose 1.5-μm infrared emissions intensity was 3.4 times as strong as that of the core NPs. In addition, we manufactured waveguide amplifiers using KMnF(3):18%Yb(3+),1%Er(3+)@KMnF(3):2%Yb(3+) NPs as the core materials of the waveguide amplifiers. When the input signal power was 0.2 mW and the pump power was 200 mW, we achieved a relative gain of 0.6 dB at 1534 nm in a 10-mm long waveguide.