Fabrication of a single mode laser by UV-writing in neodymium doped silica-on-silicon

We describe the fabrication of a waveguide laser by UV-writing in neodymium doped silica-on-silicon. The substrate is fabricated by Flame Hydrolysis Deposition and solution doping techniques. Lasing at 1048-1056nm was observed with a slope efficiency of 33% and threshold of 4mW for the transition. Lasing was also observed at 1356nm

Channel waveguide laser in neodymium doped silica-on-silicon by direct-UV-writing

We demonstrate UV-written laser waveguides in neodymium-doped silica-on-silicon. Lasing at 1048-1056nm and 1356nm was observed and a slope efficiency of 33% and threshold of 4mW were measured for the transition

25GHz tunability of planar Bragg grating using liquid crystal cladding and electric field

Application of a liquid crystal over a UV written planar silica waveguide provides the first electrically tunable, first order reflective Bragg grating using liquid crystals. 25GHz tunability is achieved with a 25 Volt applied field

Single-mode direct-ultraviolet-written channel waveguide laser in neodymium-doped silica on silicon

A waveguide laser with a neodymium-doped silica core is fabricated on a silicon substrate by a combination of flame hydrolysis deposition, solution doping, and direct UV writing. The neodymium-ion concentration is estimated to be ~8000 parts in 106. The propagation loss around 1.05 µm is < 0.8dB/cm. Lasing in the range 1048-1056 nm and 1356 ± 1 nm is observed. A slope efficiency of 33% for a high-reflectivity output coupler and a threshold of 4 mW of absorbed power for a 25% output coupler are measured for the 4F3/2 <--> 4I11/2 transition

All-UV written integrated glass devices including planar Bragg gratings and lasers

One attractive route to low-cost integrated optical components is the use of direct UV writing. This technique may be applied to a wide range of materials including silica-on-silicon wafers, compound oxide glasses, directly bonded glass composites and GLS. This presentation will focus on the first of these material systems - silica-on-silicon. This has a number of attractive features including fibre compatibility, industrial acceptance, stability and most importantly for our work a photosensitivity depends light intensity and not the thermal effects found in many materials. Recent developments of the UV writing technique at Southampton have allowed the realisation of high quality Bragg gratings in silica-on-silicon by simultaneous writing of the channel waveguides and gratings (the direct grating writing technique). This approach together with wavelength detuning, allows an unprecedented range of wavelengths to be written under software control. Latest results will be presented covering laser operation in Neodymium doped channels, small angle couplers, sensors based on planar gratings and liquid crystal tunable devices