Open AccessInfluence of gold nanoparticles on the 153 µm optical gain in Er^3+/Yb^3+: PbO-GeO_2 RIB waveguides
Author(s) -
Davinson M. da Silva,
L.R.P. Kassab,
Acácio Luiz Siarkowski,
Cid B. de Araújo
Publication year - 2014
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.22.016424
Subject(s) - materials science , photoluminescence , optoelectronics , waveguide , optics , sputtering , optical amplifier , reactive ion etching , fabrication , photonics , etching (microfabrication) , nanoparticle , lithography , thin film , laser , nanotechnology , medicine , physics , alternative medicine , layer (electronics) , pathology
We report the fabrication of waveguide amplifiers produced by RF-sputtering, using a PbO-GeO(2) glass (PGO glass) film codoped with Er(3+)/Yb(3+). RIB waveguides were obtained from PGO thin films using optical lithography followed by reactive ion etching process. The optical losses in the waveguide were ≈1.0 dB/cm and the maximum internal gain at 1.53 µm, with excitation at 980 nm, was 3 dB/cm. Nanostructured gold films deposited on the waveguides enhanced the Er(3+) ions photoluminescence (PL) by ≈400% in the red region and ≈30% in the infrared, under 980 nm pumping. The optical gain was enhanced and reached 6.5 dB/cm. The results demonstrate that the PGO waveguides, with or without gold nanoparticles, are promising for integrated photonics.