METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL ELEMENTS HAVING METAL IONS DOPED

PURPOSE: A method for manufacturing optical elements having metal ions doped is provided to be capable of doping rare earth ions and transition metal ions of high density into optical elements such as an optical fiber or a flat optical element by overcoming the limits of doping concentration in prior solution doping. CONSTITUTION: First, partially sintered micro structures are formed in base material for optical elements. Then, metal ions are doped into the micro structures through a soaking process that the micro structures are soaked in metal ion doping solution. At this time, the soaking process is performed in temperature range lower than that for preparing the doping solution. The optical elements include an optical fiber and an optical element used in a flat optical amp, an optical fiber laser, a flat optical switching element, a medical optical fiber laser and etc.