Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Some lanthanoid ions have energy levels that let them amplify light when they are put into the glass of an optical fibre.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Erbium (Er) is doped into the fibre in an erbium doped fibre amplifier (EDFA). It amplifies light near 1550 nm, the wavelength where silica fibre has the lowest loss. This makes long distance communication possible.
Step 3: Why the other options are wrong.
Thulium (Tm) is used in other wavelength bands, ytterbium (Yb) is used as a sensitiser or in high power lasers, and neodymium (Nd) is mostly used in solid state lasers.
Final Answer:
The dopant is erbium, option (C).
\[ \boxed{\text{Er}} \]