Laser-heated miniature pedestal growth apparatus for single-crystal optical fibers

Abstract

We have designed and built a single-crystal fiber growth apparatus. The apparatus employs novel optical, mechanical, and electronic control systems that enable the growth of high optical quality single-crystal fibers. We have grown oriented single-crystal fibers of four refractory oxide materials, Al2O3, Cr:Al2O3, Nd:YAG, and LiNbO3. These materials exhibit similar growth characteristics and yield fibers of comparable quality. Fibers as small as 20 μm in diameter and as long as 20 cm have been grown. Measured optical losses at 1.06 μm for a 10-cm-long, 170-μm-diam Cr:Al2O3 fiber were 0.074 dB/cm.

Facet Appearance on the Lateral Face of Sapphire Single-Crystal Fibers during LHPG Growth

“…We used an experimental set-up based on the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique [20][21][22], which enabled us to grow single crystal fibers with a diameter of about 400-800 µm and a length of up to 25 cm [22]. The fiber was pulled by an oriented seed crystal from the molten tip (pedestal) of the source rod (Figure 1).…”

Domain‐Reversed Lithium Niobate Single‐Crystal Fibers are Potentially for Efficient Terahertz Wave Generation

“…The a-axis-oriented LN single-crystal fibers having crosssection dimensions ranging from 100 μm to 130 μm and lengths from 10 mm to 50 mm were grown using the LHPG method [5]. Normally, an a-axis LN single-crystal fiber has an elliptical cross-section with two ridges as shown in Figure 4(a).…”

Automatic diameter control system applied to the laser heated pedestal growth technique

“…Single crystal fibers (SCFs) are candidates to be used in the near future as active elements in nonlinear optics and solid state laser applications [1][2][3] . Their small dimensions and rapid growth process make SCFs very interesting for applications in low cost compact solid state devices.…”