Nanoparticles in optical waveguides: A toolbox to promote lasers, amplifiers and sensors

The success of glass photonics are many, with a large spectrum of applications covering Information and Communication Technology, Health and Biology, Structural Engineering, and Environment Monitoring Systems, etc. A paradigmatic example is the development of the Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) allowing the raise of optical telecommunications and high speed internet. Silica glass is the most common glass used for photonics applications. However, certain of its characteristics may be detrimental for luminescence properties (low rare-earth solubility, high phonon energy, etc). To overcome these limitations, the use of nanoparticles in optical waveguides has gained large interest in modern photonic technology nowadays. Such waveguides would combine the advantages of silica (transparency, cost, chemical and mechanical durability, etc.) and the specific properties provided by the nanoparticles which encapsulate the rare-earth ions. In this paper, we discuss on the opportunities offered by the nanoparticles addition in glasses for lasers and amplifiers thanks to the engineering of the spectroscopic properties. We present also an emerging application: sensors based on high scattered fibers.