Silica waveguides for upconversion lasers

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An optical up-conversion device comprises an optical waveguide having an optical core region at least partially surrounded by an air cladding, wherein the core region comprises silica doped with a rare-earth element. The ultraviolet-hard silica core provides an excellent photodarkening-resistant host for an upconversion dopant such as thulium or erbium, whilst the air cladding ensures optical confinement. A particularly suitable arrangement for planar geometries comprises a supported silica membrane with a ridge waveguide 22. The supports 25 may be made from metals, dielectrics or silicon.