Rare-earth-doped silica-based glasses for photonic applications

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2007-04, Vol.353 (8-10), p.753-756
• Main Authors: Righini, G.C., Armellini, C., Berneschi, S., Bhaktha, S.N.B., Brenci, M., Cacciari, I., Chiappini, A., Chiasera, A., Ferrari, M., Jestin, Y., Moser, E., Nunzi Conti, G., Pelli, S., Tosello, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Luminescence; Nanocrystals and nanoparticles; Optical materials; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Optical spectroscopy; Optics; Photonic bandgap; Photonic bandgap materials; Physics; Raman spectroscopy; Rare-earths in glasses; Silica; Sol–gels (xerogels)
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2006.12.107

Two different silica-based glass systems with valuable optical and spectroscopic properties in the 1.5μm band, exploited in optical microcavities, are presented. First, we report on Er3+-activated core–shell silica spheres prepared by sol–gel process. The core consists of a silica sphere of 270nm in diameter, while the shell is an Er2O3–SiO2 film. The second system is an Er3+-activated microcavity fabricated by rf-sputtering technique. The cavity is constituted of an Er3+-doped SiO2 layer inserted between two Bragg mirrors, fabricated by alternately stacking five TiO2 and five SiO2 thin films. Optical and spectroscopic properties were assessed, and the two systems were characterized from morphological and structural point of view.