Glass-in-glass infiltration for 3D micro-optical composite components

Abstract

Chalcogenide glass exhibits a wide transmission window in the infrared range, a high refractive index, and nonlinear optical properties; however, due to its poor mechanical properties and low chemical and environmental stability, producing three-dimensional microstructures of chalcogenide glass remains a challenge. Here, we combine the fabrication of arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional cavities within fused silica molds by means of femtosecond laser-assisted chemical etching with the pressure-assisted infiltration of a chalcogenide glass into the resulting carved silica mold structures. This process enables the fabrication of 3D, geometrically complex, chalcogenide-silica micro-glass composites. The resulting products feature a high refractive index contrast that enables total-internal-reflection guiding and an optical quality roughness level suited for applications in the infrared.

Temperature compensated strain sensor in fused silica by femtosecond laser inscription

“…The fabrication technology employed for the realization of the sensor is a combination of femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW) [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] and femtosecond laser irradiation followed by chemical etching (FLICE). [29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Mostly these technologies have been demonstrated separately, though a few papers combine them 36,37 Firstly, all structures (waveguides, Bragg gratings, contours of V-grooves and cantilever) are formed in a single laser exposure step. Next, the whole fused silica substrate is submerged in a KOH-solution for etching.…”

Unlocking the High Photosensitivity Direct Laser Writing: Designing Structures and Observing Atomic Clustering in Glass

“…Direct laser writing (DLW) is versatile in structural modifications and property regulation. 1,2,3,4 It has found widespread applications in customizing three-dimensional (3D) patterns on polymers, fused silica, sapphire, and glasses. These patterns can be ranges of functional materials, such as perovskites, carbon dots, and noble metal particles.…”