Abstract:
Optical structures and method for producing tunable waveguide lasers. In one embodiment, a waveguide is defined within a glass substrate doped with a rare-earth element or elements by ion diffusion. Feedback elements such as mirrors or reflection gratings in the waveguide further define a laser-resonator cavity so that laser light is output from the waveguide when pumped optically or otherwise. Means are disclosed for varying the wavelengths reflected by the reflection gratings and varying the effective length of the resonator cavity to thereby tune the laser to a selected wavelength. Apparatus and method for integrating rare-earth doped lasers and optics on glass substrates. The invention includes a laser component formed from a glass substrate doped with a optically active lanthanides species with a plurality of waveguides defined by channels within the substrate. The laser component may constitute a monolithic array of individual waveguides in which the waveguides of the array form laser resonator cavities with differing resonance characteristics. The channels defining the waveguides are created by exposing a surface of the substrate to an ion-exchange solvent through a mask layer having a plurality of line apertures corresponding to the channels which are to be formed.
Abstract:
Optical structures and method for producing tunable waveguide lasers. In one embodiment, a waveguide is defined within a glass substrate doped with a rare-earth element or elements by ion diffusion. Feedback elements such as mirrors or reflection gratings in the waveguide further define a laser-resonator cavity so that laser light is output from the waveguide when pumped optically or otherwise. Means are disclosed for varying the wavelengths reflected by the reflection gratings and varying the effective length of the resonator cavity to thereby tune the laser to a selected wavelength. Apparatus and method for integrating rare-earth doped lasers and optics on glass substrates. The invention includes a laser component formed from a glass substrate doped with a optically active lanthanides species with a plurality of waveguides defined by channels within the substrate. The laser component may constitute a monolithic array of individual waveguides in which the waveguides of the array form laser resonator cavities with differing resonance characteristics. The channels defining the waveguides are created by exposing a surface of the substrate to an ion-exchange solvent through a mask layer having a plurality of line apertures corresponding to the channels which are to be formed.
Abstract:
Optical structures and method for producing tunable waveguide lasers. In one embodiment, a waveguide is defined within a glass substrate doped with a rare-earth element or elements by ion diffusion. Feedback elements such as mirrors or reflection gratings in the waveguide further define a laser-resonator cavity so that laser light is output from the waveguide when pumped optically or otherwise. Means are disclosed for varying the wavelengths reflected by the reflection gratings and varying the effective length of the resonator cavity to thereby tune the laser to a selected wavelength. Apparatus and method for integrating rare-earth doped lasers and optics on glass substrates. The invention includes a laser component formed from a glass substrate doped with a optically active lanthanides species with a plurality of waveguides defined by channels within the substrate. The laser component may constitute a monolithic array of individual waveguides in which the waveguides of the array form laser resonator cavities with differing resonance characteristics. The channels defining the waveguides are created by exposing a surface of the substrate to an ion-exchange solvent through a mask layer having a plurality of line apertures corresponding to the channels which are to be formed.
Abstract:
An optical mount substrate of the present invention includes: an optical waveguide groove 11 provided in a glass substrate 17 where loss in high frequencies is small; and via holes 12 for connection wiring or heat radiation that are provided in a direction of substrate thickness.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating ion exchange waveguides, such as lithium niobate or lithium tantalate waveguides in optical modulators and other optical waveguide devices, utilizes pressurized annealing to further diffuse and limit exchange of the ions and includes ion exchanging the crystalline substrate with a source of ions and annealing the substrate by pressurizing a gas atmosphere containing the lithium niobate or lithium tantalate substrate above normal atmospheric pressure, heating the substrate to a temperature ranging from about 150 degrees Celsius to about 1000 degrees Celsius, maintaining pressure and temperature to effect greater ion diffusion and limit exchange, and cooling the structure to an ambient temperature at an appropriate ramp down rate. In another aspect of the invention a powder of the same chemical composition as the crystalline substrate is introduced into the anneal process chamber to limit the crystalline substrate from outgassing alkaline earth metal oxide during the anneal period. In yet another aspect of the invention an anneal container is provided that allows for crystalline substrates to be annealed in the presence of powder without contaminating the substrate with the powder during the anneal process. Waveguides manufactured in accordance with the method exhibit superior drift performance.
Abstract:
A method of processing a substrate (1) made of a ferroelectric single crystalline material, including the steps of forming a desired proton-exchanged layer (2) in the substrate by proton-exchanging a portion of the substrate, and selectively removing the proton-exchanged layer to form a concave ditch structure (3) in the ferroelectric single crystalline substrate. The desired proton-exchange layer is formed using an acid containing a lithium salt as a proton-exchanging source and the surface of the substrate from which the concave ditch structure is formed is an X-cut surface or a Z-cut surface, as a main surface, of the ferroelectric single crystalline material used as the substrate. The concave ditch structure so formed can have its depth equal to or larger than its half opening width.
Abstract:
A substrate made of a ferroelectric crystalline material is processed by the steps of forming a desired proton-exchanged layer (2) in the substrate (1) by proton-exchanging a portion of the substrate, and selectively removing the proton-exchanged layer to form a recessed part (3) having a substantially semicircular sectional shape, wherein the proton-exchanging temperature is 120 to 180°C, In this way the desired shape is obtained.
Abstract:
Laser ablation method for forming a hole for fitting an optical fiber only at a core portion without having to precisely match or accord the focus of a laser beam with the end surface of an optical waveguide. When a laser beam is irradiated onto the end surface of the optical waveguide, the focus of the laser beam is turned away from the end surface of the optical waveguide and a region of the irradiation includes the core and the periphery thereof. Thereafter, the energy of the laser beam is increased step by step, and a few pulses thereof are radiated with the intensity fixed when ablation occurs at the core portion, so that the hole is formed only at the core portion.
Abstract:
Method of locally embedding a waveguide (1) in a substrate (2). A mask (3) is arranged on the upper face of the substrate. An edge (9) of the mask obliquely intersects, at a low predetermined angle A, the waveguide to define a partially masked transition portion (1c) between a non-masked portion (1b) and a fully masked portion (1a) of the waveguide. After a stage in which the waveguide is embedded in the substrate, the mask (8) is withdrawn. The portion (1b) of the waveguide is thereby embedded at a depth greater than portion (1a), portion (1c) forming a gradual adiabatic transition between both portions. The method is useful in the manufacture of sensors.