Laser performance and spectroscopic analysis of optically written channel waveguides in neodymium-doped gallium lanthanum sulphide glass

Mairaj, A.K.; Chardon, A.; Shepherd, D.P.; Hewak, Daniel W.

doi:10.1109/jstqe.2002.806672

Cited by 37 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In that context there has been a steadily increasing interest in applying direct UV writing for development of integrated devices, including planar waveguide laser sources. The latter have been realized in different glasses, such as silica [144], germanoborosilicate [216], lead silicate [346], and gallium lanthanum sulphide (GLS) glass [347], using Nd 3+ ions as activators. Despite the simplicity and speed of this fabrication method, there are some practical limits to its implementation that include: (i) the insufficient level of photosensitivity that many glasses exhibit to the emission wavelengths of commercially available UV lasers and, (ii) the proximity of their photosensitivity and absorption spectral bands.…”

Section: Optical Writingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optically pumped planar waveguide lasers, Part I: Fundamentals and fabrication techniques

Grivas

2011

Progress in Quantum Electronics

194

102

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Abstract:The tremendous interest in the field of waveguide lasers in the past two decades is largely attributed to the geometry of the gain medium, which provides the possibility to store optical energy on a very small dimension in the form of an optical mode. This allows for realization of sources with enhanced optical gain, low lasing threshold, and small footprint and opens up exciting possibilities in the area of integrated optics by facilitating their on-chip integration with different functionalities and highly compact photonic circuits. Moreover, this geometrical concept is compatible with high power diode pumping schemes as it provides exceptional thermal management, minimizing the impact of thermal loading on laser performance. The proliferation of techniques for fabrication and processing capable of producing high optical quality waveguides has greatly contributed to the growth of waveguide lasers from a topic of fundamental research to an area that encompasses a variety of practical applications. In this first part of the review on optically pumped waveguide lasers the properties that distinguish these sources from other classes of lasers will be discussed. Furthermore, the current state-of-the art in terms of fabrication tools used for producing waveguide lasers is reviewed from the aspects of the processes and the materials involved. 2 1.IntroductionOver the last two decades the field of solid-state planar waveguide lasers has experienced a steady growth, progressing from a laboratory curiosity to an area that demonstrates a broad spectrum of applications, from multiwavelength laser channel arrays for telecommunications to diode-pumped planar structures with multiwatt output powers for sensing and ranging applications. Waveguide lasers are by no means a new field and the first report on such a source dates back in 1961, when laser operation of a waveguide based on an active glass core rod embedded in a low refractive index cladding was demonstrated [1]. However research efforts in the years that followed this report focused primarily on the development of optically pumped laser sources based on high optical quality bulk dielectric laser media in the form of rods and slabs. The merits of the waveguide geometry and the associated optical confinement have been first highlighted in single mode glass optical fibers. Fibers have proven an enabling technology for realization of highly efficient amplifier and laser sources owing to their unrivalled low loss performance and ability to maintain a small spot size and hence high intensities over lengths that are orders of magnitude longer than would normally be allowed by diffraction, [2,3]. Er-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) in particular have directly contributed to the enormous expansion of the optical communications networks that underpin today's internet infrastructure by allowing for signal regeneration and optical data transmission over long distances. The excellent performance of fiber lasers and amplifiers provided motivation and triggered a major techn...

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Section: Optical Writingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optically pumped planar waveguide lasers, Part I: Fundamentals and fabrication techniques

Grivas

2011

Progress in Quantum Electronics

194

102

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“…These properties allow fluorescence with higher efficiencies and at longer wavelengths than in other rare earth doped glass [12] and could result in a new generation of solid state mid infrared lasers. There has been considerable work on chalcogenide glasses based on gallium lanthanum sulphide (GLS) as a laser and amplifying medium [12][13][14][15]. Compared to other chalcogenides GLS lends itself to active applications because of its excellent rare earth solubility [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As can be seen, the emission cross sections are larger and the radiative lifetimes shorter than those reported for other glass hosts making this material a good candidate for laser applications [16]. The first reported chalcogenide lasers by Scheiwzer [14] and later Mairaj [15] exploited optical fibre and optical waveguide cavities formed in GLS glass. With the achievement of GLS microspheres by Elliott in 2007 [18] we set out to demonstrate laser action from an Nd 3+ doped GLS sphere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chalcogenide glass microsphere laser

et al. 2010

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Abstract:Laser action has been demonstrated in chalcogenide glass microsphere. A sub millimeter neodymium-doped gallium lanthanum sulphide glass sphere was pumped at 808 nm with a laser diode and single and multimode laser action demonstrated at wavelengths between 1075 and 1086 nm. The gallium lanthanum sulphide family of glass offer higher thermal stability compared to other chalcogenide glasses, and this, along with an optimized Q-factor for the microcavity allowed laser action to be achieved. When varying the pump power, changes in the output spectrum suggest nonlinear and/or thermal effects have a strong effect on laser action.

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“…In the case of selecting a suitable core glass a higher lanthanum content is required, as compared with the cladding glass, as this leads to increased material polarizability as seen in GLS 2 ͑n = 2.3901 at 1 m͒ and GLS 3 ͑n = 2.3674 at 1 m͒. For GLS 2 and GLS 3 , a value of 21 and 31°C was measured, respectively, as the T p -T x figure and their observed exothermic crystalline events ͑T p ͒ were more prominent than GLS 1 ͑GLS 2 more so than GLS 3 ͒. These thermal analysis results suggest GLS 3 is more resistant against crystallization as compared with GLS 2 and a superior composition for use in this thin film fabrication process.…”

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confidence: 99%

Inverted deposition and high-velocity spinning to develop buried planar chalcogenide glass waveguides for highly nonlinear integrated optics

Mairaj¹,

Curry²,

Hewak³

2005

Applied Physics Letters

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We report on buried planar waveguides in a highly nonlinear infrared transmitting chalcogenide glass, fabricated using a combination of inverted deposition of the molten glass phase and high-velocity spinning. Films of gallium lanthanum sulphide ͑Ga: La: S͒ glass were deposited onto an expansion coefficient matched Ga: La: S cladding substrate. These amorphous films, with an optimized composition designed to be resistant against crystallization, were observed to have an excellent interface quality and uniformity. The designed planar chip had a buried core, 6 m thick in the vertical direction, in single-mode operation at 1.064 m and a measured propagation loss of Ͻ0.2 dB cm −1 . Through this technique waveguides from Ga: La: S glass, a highly versatile optical semiconductor material, can potentially be used in nonlinear applications as well as provide passive and active integrated optic functionality into the infrared beyond 5 m. © 2005 American Institute of Physics. ͓DOI: 10.1063/1.1856686͔Highly nonlinear glass has the potential to address a wide range of technologies. However, the development of this glass technology in planar platforms currently lags a generation behind conventional glass ͑silica based͒ integrated optic research and development. A highly nonlinear IR and transmitting thin film/planar device can effectively operate in a variety of systems, e.g., optical switches and lasers, modulators, sensors, grating based devices, IR radiation conduits, antireflection coatings, data storage, and generation of supercontinuum. 1-4 Some examples of highly nonlinear materials include As-S, As-Se, Ge-S, Ge-Se-Te, and Ga-La-S. The increasing sophistication of the industries requiring optical thin films from unconventional materials calls for alternative fabrication methods to be matured, which is the subject of this letter. 5 In the highly nonlinear and IR transmitting family of materials, in particular the chalcogenide glasses ͑ChGs͒, the synthesis of thin films have been reported. 6-9 Chalcogenide glasses contain elements from group VI of the periodic table as glass-forming anions and are generally opaque in the visible, with the exception of some sulphide glasses, and exhibit transparency extending into the longer infrared wavelengths ͑5-15 m͒ as compared with conventional glasses. The high nonlinear refractive index, enhanced IR transmission coupled with reduced phonon energy, and the ability to exhibit localized photoinduced material changes ͑reversible or irreversible͒, suggest these glasses are indeed fascinating candidates for planar waveguide development. A noteworthy member of the ChG family is the gallium lanthanum sulphide ͑Ga: La: S͒ glass system, having an optical transparency between 0.5 and 10 m, a high glass transition temperature ͑T g ͒ of 580°C, high solubility of rare-earths, transition, and precious metals ͑e.g., silver and platinum͒ and controllable photosensitivity. 10 In addition, it has been reported that Ga: La: S optical glass has the highest optical nonlinearity as compared with other ...

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Laser performance and spectroscopic analysis of optically written channel waveguides in neodymium-doped gallium lanthanum sulphide glass

Cited by 37 publications

References 41 publications

Optically pumped planar waveguide lasers, Part I: Fundamentals and fabrication techniques

Optically pumped planar waveguide lasers, Part I: Fundamentals and fabrication techniques

Chalcogenide glass microsphere laser

Inverted deposition and high-velocity spinning to develop buried planar chalcogenide glass waveguides for highly nonlinear integrated optics

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