The problem of doping optical quality polymers with chelated Nd3+has been studied. A number of material systems were evaluated. The best results in terms of optical quality at a high Nd3+concentration were achieved by doping a fluorinated polyimide with fluorinated neodymium chelate. Slab and channel waveguides were fabricated in this material system. Optical absorption and luminescence studies were carried out. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.