Linear and nonlinear optical properties of erbium-implanted coherent array of submicron silica spheres

Abstract

A coherent array of silica spheres, which was implanted with erbium ions, showed nonlinear behavior at λ=0.532 μm. This was attributed to a large nonlinear refraction effect, which was enhanced by the structure of the opaline matrix. In addition, near infrared photoluminescence measurements showed an overall enhancement as a function of the sphere’s size. A large photoluminescence peak was found around λ=900 nm and attributed to the lensing effect of the opaline matrix.

Defect and nanocrystal cathodoluminescence of synthetic opals infilled with Si and Pt

“…The existence of nanosized silicon crystallites in opal silica spheres has been recently reported by Ajgaonkar et al 23 This observation suggests that the presence of Si nanocrystals in our samples could be related to the 3.4 eV band with a mechanism similar to that proposed in Ref. 22 for the case of SiO 2 films.…”

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes within an ordered array of nanosized silica spheres

“…6 The combination of strong optical confinement with large dispersion of the structure has been proven useful for nonlinear, ultrashort pulse control. 1-3 At the same time, threedimensional ͑3D͒ periodic structures ͑photonic crystals͒, which are able to strongly confine optical beams, have gained much interest as well.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanide-Doped Silica Microspheres

“…Silica or silica-based glass doped with lanthanide ions is a visible/near-IR optically active material widely used for photonic applications, including lasers and optical fiber amplifiers. − Lanthanide-doped silica glass can be made in bulk by any of several methods including high-temperature vapor phase processing, , sol−gel chemistry, − or ion implantation. , There has been much recent interest in the synthesis of nanoscale particles doped with lanthanide ions because the optical properties of these materials may be modified as the dimensions of the host material are reduced. , In addition, producing silica colloids of predictable size and shape doped with a controllable concentration of lanthanide ions has significant potential for use in optical devices such as microlasers, thin-film device structures, , active photonic band gap materials, , and luminescent markers or nanosensors. − …”

“…One chemical method used to incorporate neodymium or europium ions into silica microspheres produces particles with diameters ranging from approximately 5 μm to more than 1 mm. , Sonochemistry has been used to react lanthanide nitrates with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in a basic environment, but this method produces a large fraction of nanoparticle agglomerates with irregular shapes and sizes and unpredictable doping densities . Ion implantation has been used to dope films of silica nanoparticles, but only a few particles can be doped at one time, and the level of doping is not homogeneous throughout the film depth. , In this article we report the controlled growth of silica nanoparticles and microparticles doped with Pr 3+ and Er 3+ via solution-phase chemistry. The method results in incorporation of lanthanide ions during the acid-catalyzed growth of silica particles.…”

“…23 Ion implantation has been used to dope films of silica nanoparticles, but only a few particles can be doped at one time, and the level of doping is not homogeneous throughout the film depth. 8,9 In this article we report the controlled growth of silica nanoparticles and microparticles doped with Pr 3+ and Er 3+ via solution-phase chemistry. The method results in incorporation of lanthanide ions during the acidcatalyzed growth of silica particles.…”