Optical amplifier and multi-core optical fiber

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An optical amplifier 2a has a first multi-core optical fibre (MCF) 1a, with each core 11a made of silica glass and having an added rare-earth element, such as Erbium (Er). A silica glass cladding 12a, having a lower refractive index, surrounds the cores. The MCF 1a has an absorption coefficient of 1dB/m or greater at a pumping wavelength, and an inter-core crosstalk of -17dB or greater, representing a state of core coupling, at a wavelength at which the rare-earth element amplifies light, such as 1550nm. A second MCF 3a has cores 31a also made of silica glass (but without an added rare-earth element), surrounded by silica glass cladding 32a of lower refractive index, each core connected to one of the cores of the first MCF 1a. A resin may coat the cladding of the optical fibres. A light source 5a supplies pump light through the second MCF 3a to the rare-earth element in the cores of the first MCF 1a.