Abstract
We analyze microstructure, linear and nonliner optical properties of planar waveguides produced by implantation of MeV Ag ions into LiNbO3. The linear optical properties include spectrum of propagation modes, and optical absorption spectrum. The nonlinear properties include optical spectrum of nonlinear refractive index. Operation of the implanted crystal as an optical waveguide is due to modification of the linear refractive index of the implanted region. The samples as implanted do no show any light guiding. Heat treatment of the implanted samples makes planar light guides on the implanted surface. High-resolution electron microscopy reveals recrystallization of the host between the surface and the nuclear stopping region in the form of randomly oriented micro crystals. They make up a light guiding layer isolated from the bulk crystal by the low index nuclear stopping layer. Optical absorption has a peak at 430 nm. This peak is due to the surface plasmon resonance in metal nanoclusters formed in the host after implantation. Heat treatment of the silver implanted samples shifts the absorption peak to 550 nm. Relatively strong third order nonlinearity of the samples is due to the three orders of magnitude enhancement of the intrinsic intraband and interband electron component of polarizability in the vicinity of the surface plasmon resonance. The nonlinear refractive index of the samples (of the order of 10-10 cm2/W) was measured with the Z-scan technique using a picosecond laser source. Possible applications of the waveguides include ultra-fast photonic switches and modulators.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 43-54 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
Volume | 3790 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | Proceedings of the 1999 Engineered Nanostructural Films and Materials - Denver, CO, USA Duration: Jul 22 1999 → Jul 23 1999 |