Towards the integration of nanoemitters by direct laser writing on optical glass waveguides

Abstract

A major challenge towards nanophotonics is the integration of nanoemitters on optical chips. Combining the optical properties of nanoemitters with the benefits of integration and scalability of integrated optics is still a major issue to overcome. In this work, we demonstrate the integration of nanoemitters positioned in a controlled manner onto a substrate and onto an optical ion-exchanged glass waveguide via direct laser writing based on two-photon polymerization. Our nanoemitters are colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) embedded in polymeric nanostructures. By varying the laser parameters during the patterning process, we make size-controlled QD-polymer nanostructures that were systematically characterized using optical and structural methods. Structures as small as 17 nm in height were fabricated. The well-controlled QD-polymer nanostructure systems were then successfully integrated onto a new photonic platform for nanophotonics made of an ion-exchanged waveguide. We show that our QDs maintain their light emitting quality after integration as verified by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Ultimately, QD emission coupled to our waveguides is detected through a home-built fiber-edge coupling PL measurement setup. Our results show the potential for future integration of nanoemitters onto complex photonic chips.

One Strategy for Nanoparticle Assembly onto 1D, 2D, and 3D Polymer Micro and Nanostructures

“…45 Fe2O3 NPs are prepared following the procedure mentioned in Nigam's et al article. 48 The synthesized solutions are used directly for immersion process without any dilution. Commercial PSNPs solution (size~ 800 nm, 4% solid in 5 mL H2O) is diluted 500 times in water and nanodiamonds solution (1 mg / 1 mL H2O) is diluted 100 times in water.…”

“…Controlling the number of QDs and their positioning is a very important asset for nano-optics where the selective integration of nano-emitters with high spatial resolution on waveguides and on plasmonic devices is needed. [47][48][49] The ability to manipulate light at the nanoscale is one of the most important features in integrated photonic quantum technologies. However, conventional optical devices suffer from the diffraction limit of light.…”

Recent Advances on Nanocomposite Resists With Design Functionality for Lithographic Microfabrication

“…In particular, UCNPs based on the energy transfer mechanism between sensitized and activator dopants have been extensively developed in recent years due to the capabilities of the chemical synthesis, their chemical endurance, low toxicity and excellent optical stability (Wang et al, 2010;Chen et al, 2014). Luminescent NCPRs have many applications: photo-curing of PRs with embedded QDs has been studied for on-chip detection of heavy metal ions (Xu et al, 2013), bar-coding particles (Zhao et al, 2011), development of high quality displays (Li et al, 2019c) and deterministic integration of quantum emitters into waveguides (Lio et al, 2019;Xu et al, 2020b), nanoantennas (Broussier et al, 2019) and remotely controllable magnetic structures (Au et al, 2020). A recent review by Smith et al contains a section on lithographically pattered QD NCPRs (Smith et al, 2019).…”

Hybrid photonic system integration using thin glass platform technology

“…Due to the low propagation losses of 0.059 dB∕cm 22 and high process homogeneity, integrated functions can be focused in the future. On wafer level and on laboratory scale, multiple functions could be presented, 23 with just one of many examples being direction coupler 24 Y-junctions. 25 In recent years, sensing applications using quantum dots 26,27 and surface plasmon polaritons 28 were also developed.…”