Topic: 3rd Special Session on Novel glasses for photonic devices, technical session We.A5 « Novel Glasses I » [We.A5.4], http://www.nit.eu/konf/icton/2009/"International audienceIn this paper, we present a short review of the activity performed in developing glass-based photonic structures on the nano and micro scale, based on the sol-gel techniques and activated by rare earth ions. Optical and spectroscopic assessment of glass ceramic waveguides is discussed. Luminescence enhancement is demonstrated. Refractive index modulation upon UV exposure is measured in SiO2-SnO2 film. Finally, results concerning Er3+-activated opal-based photonic crystal are presented. In the case of inverted opals a quantum efficiency of 90% was estimated
Sol gel-derived silica-hafnia is a reliable and flexible binary system that has proved to be suitable for rare earth doping and fabrication of amorphous and glass ceramic planar waveguides as well as for improving thermal stability of spherical microresonators. Here we present an overview concerning fabrication protocols and structural, optical and spectroscopic assessment of SiO 2 -HfO 2 waveguides activated with Er 3+ ions. In order to put in evidence the reliability and versatility of the silica-hafnia system for photonics applications three different confined structures are briefly presented: i) amorphous waveguides; ii) glass-ceramic waveguides; iii) coated microspheres
INTRODUCTIONThe realization of photonic structures operating at visible and near infrared frequencies is a highly attractive scientific and technological challenge. Since optical fiber innovation, a huge of activity has been performed leading to interesting results, such as optical waveguides and planar lightwave circuits, microphotonic devices, optical microcavities, nanowires, plasmonic structures, and photonic crystals [1]. These systems have opened new possibilities in the field of both basic and applied physics, in a large area covering Information Communication Technologies, Health and Biology, Structural Engineering, and Environment Monitoring Systems. Several materials are employed to successfully fabricate photonic structures. In this context a significant role is played by Er 3+ -activated glasses, in particular in planar configuration. Among the different compositions and different technologies that are employed at this purpose, the silica-hafnia system has demonstrated to be suitable for fabrication of thin film coatings and planar waveguides by sol-gel route [2][3][4]. Moreover, during the last years sol-gel-derived Er 3+ -activated HfO 2 -based glass-ceramics were obtained [5][6][7] using suitable top-down [7,8] and bottom-up technique [5]. Rare-earth-activated glass-ceramics, where a glass host is loaded with a crystalline phase containing the active ions, are emerging material in photonics because they combine the advantages of optical glasses with crystal-like spectroscopic characteristics [5,9].In this paper we discuss the more significant results obtained for the Er 3+ -activated SiO 2 -HfO 2 system in order to put in evidence its reliability and versatility for photonics application.
Er3+-doped fluoride glass ceramics planar waveguides containing LaF3 or binary LaF3- ZrF4 nanocrystals have been fabricated by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). A quantitative analysis of the photoluminescence for the 1.5μm emission band of Er3+ ions has demonstrated that erbium ions are partitioned in both crystals and vitreous phase; the solubility of Er3+ in the segregated LaF3 nanocrystals can reach 30 mol% and the emission bandwidth has been found to be greater than that of the precursor glass (71nm at the half-height width). In order to increase the luminescence of Er3+, codoping with Yb3+ and Ce3+ has been investigated. The high Er3+ concentration and spectral width could make this nanostructured fluoride material suitable for planar amplifier in the C telecommunication band.
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