Epitaxial growth of Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ thin film optical waveguides using excimer laser ablation

Thin-film optical waveguides of the photorefractive optical material bismuth germanium oxide (Bi12GeO20) have been epitaxially grown onto heated zirconia substrates by excimer laser ablative sputtering. The epitaxial nature and stoichiometry of the films were verified using x-ray diffraction analysis. Waveguide modes were observed for effective refractive indices in close agreement with theoretical predictions

Nanostructured photonic sensors (nanophos)

N.A. Vainos è stato il project coordinator mentre A. Perrone è stato coordinatore italiano del progetto. Al presente progetto europeo hanno partecipato 14 partner europei. La durata del progetto è stata di quattro anni (2003-2006). L'obiettivo principale del progetto è stato la messa a punto di sensori di gas basati su nanostrutture di ossidi metallici preparati mediante diverse tecniche di deposizione

Growth of Nd:potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW) thin-film waveguides by pulsed laser deposition

Thin Nd-doped potassium gadolinium tungstate [KGW or KGd(WO4)2] films are grown by pulsed laser deposition by ablation of a stoichiometric monocrystal target. Rutherford backscattering, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and waveguide propagation analyses are performed. The as-grown films are optically active, as evidenced by the photoluminescence spectra centered at 1.068 µm. In some of the films, fine photoluminescence spectra between Stark levels are observed