Andrews M.P., Belanger N., Manseau M.-P., Duxin N., Maron E., Lofgreen J., van Veggel F.C.J.M.
McGill University, CA
Keywords: nanocomposite waveguides, rare earth nanoparticles, self action, self writing
This talk focuses on two classes of nanocomposite media that exhibit Light Induced Self Inscription. We describe LISI in sol-gel derived photosensitive glasses containing nanodispersions of zirconia, titania and noble metal nanoparticles. Waveguiding at 488 nm proceeds with simultaneous self-inscription, and permanently inscribed nanocomposite waveguides can be revealed by wet etching. Under certain conditions, self inscription becomes chaotic, and filamentation is observed. In other cases, periodic beat patterns can be imaged. A counterpropagating beam set-up allows simple optical devices like crosses and y-junctions to be created. Soliton-like behavior is exhibited at low laser power where couterpropagating self inscribed beams undergo mutual trapping. The second class of materials consists of low loss organic polymer media for polymer containing Er3+ ions doped in LaX3 nanoparticles, where X is a halide. These compositions appear to have good potential for fabricating nanocomposite rare earth doped waveguide amplifiers, and our findings with respect to their use as optical gain media will be discussed.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 402 - 406
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications
ISBN: 1-4200-6182-8