Optical composite nanostructures produced by silver ion implantation of lithium niobate

Sergey S. Sarkisov, Michael J. Curley, Eric K. Williams, Daryush Ila, Vasili L. Svetchnikov, H. W. Zandbergen, David B. Poker, Dale K. Hensley

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

We analyze microstructure and optical properties of thin light-guiding nanocomposite planar structures produced by implantation of MeV Ag into LiNbO3. The structures demonstrate such prominent features as change of color from yellow to pink accompanied by the appearance of light guiding after heat treatment of the implanted sample at 500°C for one hour in open air. TEM analysis shows that before heat treatment the implanted region consists of amorphous and porous lithium niobate and nanoclusters of metallic silver localized near the edge of the nuclear stopping region. The surface plasmon resonance peak attributed to the nanoclusters is located near 430 nm giving yellow color to the sample. After heat treatment the implanted region re-crystallizes in the form of randomly oriented sub-micron grains of lithium niobate doped with enlarged and dispersed silver nanoclusters. Optical prism coupling analysis shows that the implanted region performs as a planar light guide with the refractive index apparently higher than the nuclear stopping region beneath it. In addition, the surface plasmon resonance peak of the nanoclusters moves to 550 nm giving pink color to the sample. Using computer simulations based on the Mie model, we explain such significant 'red' frequency shift of the plasmon resonance by the increase of the effective refractive index of the host material after recrystallization and elimination of porosity caused by heat treatment. Theoretical data are in good agreement with experimental spectra of the optical extinction of the sample before and after heat treatment. This is also in agreement with the fact that the implanted planar structure becomes a light guide with substantially increased effective refractive index. Fabricated nanostructure can find application in ultra-fast photonic switches where light guiding is combined with the optical nonlinearity of the third order enhanced by the plasmon resonance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-197
Number of pages12
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume4097
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes
EventComplex Mediums - San Diego, CA, USA
Duration: Jul 30 2000Aug 1 2000

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