Optical waveguides in magneto-optical glasses fabricated by proton implantation

• Published in: Optics and laser technology 2016-11, Vol.85, p.55-59
• Main Authors: Liu, Chun-Xiao, Li, Yu-Wen, Zheng, Rui-Lin, Fu, Li-Li, Zhang, Liao-Lin, Guo, Hai-Tao, Zhou, Zhi-Guang, Li, Wei-Nan, Lin, She-Bao, Wei, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Annealing; Borosilicate glasses; Glass; Implantation; Ion implantation; Magneto-optical glass; Planar waveguides; Propagation modes; Waveguide; Waveguides
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2016.05.008

Planar waveguides in magneto-optical glasses (Tb3+-doped aluminum borosilicate glasses) have been produced by a 550-keV proton implantation at a dose of 4.0×1016ions/cm2 for the first time to our knowledge. After annealing at 260°C for 1.0h, the dark-mode spectra and near-field intensity distributions are measured by the prism-coupling and end-face coupling methods. The damage profile, refractive index distribution and light propagation mode of the planar waveguide are numerically calculated by SRIM 2010, RCM and FD-BPM, respectively. The effects of implantation on the structural and optical properties are investigated by Raman and absorption spectra. It suggests that the proton-implanted Tb3+-doped aluminum borosilicate glass waveguide is a good candidate for a waveguide isolator in optical fiber communication and all-optical communication. •Planar waveguides in magneto-optical glasses are formed by proton implantation.•Waveguides demonstrate acceptable guiding properties.•The effects of implantation on the structural and optical properties are obvious studied.