Fabrication and characterization of photonic devices directly written in glass using femtosecond lasers (original) (raw)
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Direct-write embedded waveguides and integrated optics in bulk glass by femtosecond laser pulses
Optical Engineering, 2005
Embedded waveguides and integrated optical devices are fabricated from a computer-aided design file by scanning the focus spot in amorphous silica, using femtosecond laser pulses (800 nm, Ͻ125 fs, at 1 kHz). The effect of laser processing conditions on the optical properties of direct-written waveguides and an unusual laser-induced birefringence in an optically isotropic glass are reported. Several integrated optical devices, including Y coupler, directional coupler, and Mach-Zehnder interferometer, are made to demonstrate the simplicity and flexibility of this technique in comparison to the conventional waveguide fabrication processes.
Lasing in femtosecond laser written optical waveguides
Applied Physics A, 2008
The paper reviews our research efforts in femtosecond laser inscription of optical waveguides inside active Er:Yb-doped glass substrates and in the development of compact waveguide lasers. By optimising the fabrication parameters we obtain waveguides with coupling losses to standard telecom fibers as low as 0.1 dB/facet and propagation losses lower than 0.4 dB/cm. The waveguides provide net gain, with a peak value of 7 dB, and laser action in the whole telecommunications C-band (1530-1565 nm). Single-frequency operation with output power up to 50 mW and passive mode-locking are demonstrated, making the systems useful as compact telecom transmitters. Our results show that femtosecond laser writing can produce highquality photonic devices, with performance comparable to or better than that obtainable with conventional waveguide fabrication techniques.
Micromachining Technology for Micro-Optics and Nano-Optics II, 2003
Rapid progress has been made in the last few years in the development direct-write, femtosecond laser micro-structuring and waveguide writing techniques in various materials, particularly semiconductor and other photo-sensitive glasses. There is considerable potential for this becoming a disruptive technology in photonic device fabrication, perhaps even leading to the development of devices that are difficult to fabricate by any other technique. We will review these developments, and with an optimistic eye, offer some perspectives on the future of this technology for opto-electronic systems.
Applied Physics A-materials Science & Processing, 2007
Optical waveguides have been produced by femtosecond-laser writing in a high linear and nonlinear refractive index glass (SF57). Light guiding occurs nearby a central damaged zone due to the collateral densification caused by shockwaves generated in the focal volume. High pulse energies are required to induce a modified region capable of supporting a guided mode. An alternative processing method, based on using multiple structures, has been successfully used for the production of waveguides with controllable core size at low energies.
Femtosecond direct-writing of waveguide in non-oxide glasses
Photon Processing in Microelectronics and Photonics III, 2004
We describe the fabrication of waveguides in optical materials using a femtosecond laser. The direct laser writing technique has the unique advantage of allowing volume structures to be fabricated. We investigate several writing schemes in non-oxide glasses and characterize the photo-induced modifications of the optical properties. These changes are linked to structural changes in the glass matrix, as revealed by Raman spectroscopy.
Selected Topics in …, 2008
Currently, direct-write waveguide fabrication is probably the most widely studied application of femtosecond laser micromachining in transparent dielectrics. Devices such as buried waveguides, power splitters, couplers, gratings and optical amplifiers have all been demonstrated. Waveguide properties depend critically on the sample material properties and writing laser characteristics. In this paper we discuss the challenges facing researchers using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique with specific emphasis being placed on the suitability of fused silica and phosphate glass as device hosts for different applications.
Advances in femtosecond laser processing of optical material for device applications
International Journal of Applied Glass Science, 2020
Femtosecond laser induced changes and writing in optical materials have proven to be an excellent route to the production of high‐quality micro‐ and nanofabrication of functional devices. In this paper we present the latest advancements in femtosecond laser processing of optical materials for device applications. We look at femtosecond direct laser writing for photonic device fabrication in fused silica and active glasses. We also discuss femtosecond laser writing and wet chemical etching in fused silica, Foturan, and chalcogenide glasses with applications in microfluidics, optics, sensors, and photonic devices.
Direct-write waveguides and structural modification by femtosecond laser pulses
Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology IX, 2003
Embedded waveguides and their optical properties in bulk silicate glasses fabricated by femtosecond (fs) laser pulses (800 nm, <120 fs, at 1 kHz) are reported. Experimental results show that there is a narrow operating window for our system to produce low loss waveguides. An angular dependence of light transmission measured between two crossed polarizers on these laser-modified regions suggests that these regions possess an optical birefrigent property. Furthermore, the optical axes of laser-induced birefringence can be controlled by the polarization direction of the fs laser. Permanent optical birefringence induced by the fs laser pulses can be produced in amorphous silica, and borosilicate glass. Raman spectroscopy of the modified glass shows a densification and reconstruction of silica network in the glass. Results show that the amount of laser-induced birefringence depends on pulse energy level and the number of accumulated pulses. Mechanisms that contribute to the observed laser induced birefringence behavior are discussed.
Optics Letters, 2001
Single-mode X couplers and three-dimensional waveguides are fabricated in transparent glasses by use of an unamplified femtosecond laser generating energies of up to 100 nJ. Changing fabrication parameters such as power and scanning speed permits creation of waveguides with a wide range of structures and refractiveindex difference. Optical coherence tomography shows large refractive-index changes of up to ϳ10 22 in the waveguides; these changes are consistent with guided mode analysis.