Open AccessChalcogenide glass microspheres; their production, characterization and potential
Author(s) -
G. Elliott,
Daniel W. Hewak,
Ganapathy Senthil Murugan,
James S. Wilkinson
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.017542
Subject(s) - chalcogenide glass , materials science , resonator , chalcogenide , optics , wavelength , q factor , optoelectronics , whispering gallery wave , refractive index , photonics , physics
Micro-resonators have attracted considerable attention as a potential geometry for photonic devices used in multiplexing, memory and switching. These all-optical-resonators allow light at certain wavelengths to build up in intensity allowing nonlinear effects to be seen for much lower input power than in a bulk material. We report here on microspheres made from gallium-lanthanum-sulphide glass. Spheres have been produced with diameters from less than 1 mum up to 450 microm, and we demonstrate a first measured quality factor of 8x10(4) at 1.55 microm, for a chalcogenide sphere diameter of 100 microm. We also predict an ultimate Q of up to 4x10(10) at 3 microm.