Eu-doped polymer fibers

Polymer optical fibers are a very good choice for flexible and robust short range optical data links. We have developed PMMA with Eu
³⁺
-doped polymer chains. From this optically active material we draw fibers. These fibers can be used for UV pumped polymer fiber amplifiers in cases where larger distances have to be bridged. This paper presents the fabrication of these fibers, their optical characteristics and results of first gain measurements.