Ti:LiNbO3 optical waveguides

Various experiments on Ti diffused optical waveguides in LiNbO₃ have been carried out in order to determine precisely the character of the diffusion process. The required guide parameters and the effective mode indices could be controlled by adjusting only the diffusion time under fixed temperature and film thickness. Therefore the dependence of the guide characteristics on the diffusion time has been investigated in detail. On the basis of the data obtained, a two-stage diffusion model is proposed. In the first stage, the Ti diffusant profile is described by a erfc-function, and the second stage is characterized by a modified Gaussian form.     

Loss in low-finesse Ti:LiNbO3 optical waveguide resonators

We propose to measure the contrast of Fabry-Perot resonances in low-finesse (end face polished) integrated optical resonators to determine an upper limit of the waveguide attenuation coefficient. The method is discussed; its absolute accuracy increases with decreasing loss. As example, experimental results are presented for 3 and 10 m wide Ti: LiNbO₃ strip guides; the attenuation coefficients are 0.46 dB/cm (EH₁₁) in the narrower guide at =0.63 m, respectively 0.19 dB/cm (EH₁₁) and 0.09 dB/cm (HE₁₁) in the 10 m wide guide at =1.15 m.     

Thermooptical characteristics of H+:LiNbO3:Ti proton-exchanged optical waveguides

An experimental investigation was carried out on the temperature coefficients for phase angles during excitation of output waves in proton-exchanged planar optical waveguides based on lithium niobate. The functional dependence of these coefficients on the time following annealing was studied for various waveguide modes and light propagation directions. On the basis of experimental results and the analytical expressions obtained for the temperature coefficients of input angles, conclusions were drawn about the significantly lower temperature coefficients for the extraordinary refractive index in the waveguide region.Tomsk State Academy of Control Systems and Radioelectronics. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 84–90, July, 1995.     

基于Ti扩散铌酸锂偏振分束器的研制

对定向耦合型偏振分束器的原理进行了分析。设计了一种零间距定向耦合器,在空间上实现TE/TM模式分束;用BPM软件对所设计的器件进行仿真模拟,对于TE/TM模的消光比分别可以达到21.2dB和19.5dB;该器件在X切Y传的LiNbO3晶片上采用Ti扩散技术制作完成。实验样品消光比测试结果TE/TM模分别为11.5dB和19.1dB,对于消光比不够理想的原因进行了初步的分析。     

Modelling the formation of optical waveguides produced in LiNbO3 by laser induced thermal diffusion of lithium ions

Analytical and numerical modelling of the fabrication of optical waveguides in lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) through direct writing with a continuous wave ultraviolet (UV) laser has been performed. It is proposed that the UV illumination induces heating of the surface and subsequent thermal diffusion of lithium which alters the refractive index in accordance with the lithium concentration dependence of the Sellmeier equations. PACS 61.80.Ba; 66.30.Dn; 77.84.Dy     

ESR of Ti3+ in LiNbO3

In reduced LiNbO₃ and ESR signal was identified which is attributed to Ti³⁺ (3d)¹ by comparison with known (4d)¹ and (5d)¹ centers. The signal can be increased many times by Ti in-diffusion. It is photosensitive, being quenched by near UV-illumination.     

Analysis of the eigenmodes of two coupled Ti: LiNbO3 optical waveguides and its application

Abstact Two kinds of trial solutions for the symmetric and antisymmetric modes of the parallel Ti: LiNbO₃ waveguide structure are proposed and their parameters are determined by use of the variational method. Comparison with the results of the finite-element method and reported experimental results shows that the solutions composed of Hermite-Gaussian functions might achieve better accuracy. It is shown that the formulae established here are suited for both single waveguide structures and coupled waveguide structures. In addition, we discuss the optimal electrode design for the symmetric directional coupler switches with a zero waveguide spacing. It is found that the required drive voltage can be lowered by choosing a small electrode gap and an appropriate electrode width.     

Low-threshold mid-infrared optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled LiNbO3 synchronously pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser

We report the generation of tunable high-repetition-rate optical pulses in the mid-infrared using synchronously pumped parametric oscillation in periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN). Using a Kerr-lens-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser as the pump source and a PPLN crystal incorporating grating periods of 21.0–22.4 μm, we have achieved wavelength conversion in the -–4 6μm spectral range in the mid-infrared. The use of a semi-monolithic cavity design and hemispherical focusing has permitted pulse generation in the strong idler absorption region of PPLN, resulting in a simple, compact, all-solid-state configuration with a pump power threshold as low as 17 mW and mid-infrared idler powers of up to 64 mW at 9% extraction efficiency. Signal output powers of up to 280 mW at 35% extraction efficiency are available over the -–1.004 1.140μm spectral range at 80.5 MHz and pulse repetition rates at harmonics of the fundamental frequency up to 322 MHz have also been obtained. Received: 5 December 2000 / Revised version: 23 January 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Analysis of velocity-matched Ti:LiNbO3 optical intensity modulators with an extended point-matching method

The point-matching method has been extended to analyse a travelling-wave electrode structure for shielded velocity-matched Ti:LiNbO₃ Mach-Zehnder optical modulators. This method provides a simple and fast approach to analysing the coplanar waveguide with buffer layer, cover shield, and electrodes of finite thickness. The calculated characteristic impedances and microwave effective indices agree well with those obtained using the spectral domain technique and the finite-element method. It is found that in the coplanar waveguide without cover shield it is difficult to achieve velocity matching. The coplanar waveguide with cover shield can be used to achieve velocity matching, but the corresponding characteristic impedance is lower than 50. Both velocity matching and impedance matching can be obtained using a narrow centre electrode. The calculated electric field has been used to estimate the modulation efficiency of the device. Velocity matching can be achieved by adjusting the height of the cover shield, but a compromise must be made between high interaction efficiency and low microwave reflection when choosing the buffer layer thickness and the electrode thickness.     

Polarization-independent rapidly tunable optical add-drop multiplexer utilizing non-polarizing beam splitters in Ti:LiNbO3

A polarization-independent four-port wavelength-tunable optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) that utilizes non-polarizing relaxed beam splitters has been analyzed and demonstrated in Ti:LiNbO₃ at the 1530 nm wavelength regime. The design utilizes an asymmetric interferometer configuration with strain induced index grating for polarization coupling along its arms that are shifted in position relative to each other. Experimental results of the filter response agree with theoretical predictions. Electrooptic tuning over a range of 15.7 nm at a rate of 0.08 nm/V has been measured. A temporal response < 46 ns to a 20 V step change in tuning voltage has been demonstrated. Fiber-to-fiber insertion loss is ~ 6.5 dB.     

Picosecond Ti:sapphire-pumped optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled LiNbO(3)

Periodically poled lithium niobate has been used in a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator pumped by a cw mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. A tuning range of 1.15 to 2.4 microm was achieved when the pump was tuned, and this range was limited only by the mirror reflection bandwidth. Thresholds as low as 18 mW and an overall slope efficiency of 44% were observed, with average output powers of 130 mW (70 mW) for the signal (idler).     

Modeling the influence of technological parameters of manufacturing LiNbO3:Ti directed couplers on their optical properties

A universal technique for the numerical simulation of channel waveguides and integrated optical splitters on their basis is presented. The method of finite elements using a Hermitian set of B splines is proposed as an algorithm. This method was used to optimize X-type splitters manufactured by titanium diffusion into a lithium niobate crystal. The results of numerical simulation agree well with the experimental data obtained on specially manufactured samples of X splitters.     

Micro‐ and submicrometric waveguiding structures in optical crystals produced by ion beams for photonic applications

Energetic ion beams with diverse energies, species and beam dimensions have been extensively utilized to modify the properties of materials to achieve versatile applications in many aspects of industry, agriculture and scientific research. In optics, the ion‐beam technology has been applied to fabricate various micro‐ and submicrometric guiding structures on a wide range of optical crystals through the efficient modulation of the refractive indices or structuring of the surface, realizing various applications in many branches of photonics. The ion‐beam fabricated optical waveguides and other photonic structures have shown good guiding performance as well as properties related to the materials, suggesting promising potential for many aspects of photonics. This paper gives the state‐of‐the‐art review of fabrication, characterization and application on the ion‐beam‐processed micro‐ and submicrometric photonic structures by highlighting the most recent research progress. A brief prospect is presented by focusing on a few potential spotlights.     

Refractive index profiles of LiNbO3: Ti waveguides

Eight LiNbO₃: Ti waveguides have been fabricated under differing conditions. The effective refractive indices of guided modes have been measured and successfully fitted to Gaussian index profiles. The change of refractive index and titanium concentration are related by a power law, the exponents being different for the extraordinary and the ordinary beam.     

Photoconductivity and photovoltaic behaviour of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3 waveguides at high optical intensities

The photoconductivity and photovoltaic currents of pure LiNbO₃ and proton exchanged waveguides in LiNbO₃ have been measured as a function of the optical intensity up to about several kW/cm² by the use of surface electrodes. For pure LiNbO₃ the observed dependences are a simple extrapolation of the well known low intensity behaviour. The photoconductivity of proton exchanged waveguides is considerably increased compared with pure LiNbO₃ and the curves are strongly nonlinear in the high intensity region. These results can explain, at least qualitatively, the previously observed characteristic time and intensity dependence of light-induced refractive index changes in this type of waveguides. Both the time and temperature behaviour of the dark conductivity of all proton exchanged waveguides give strong evidence of ionic charge transport in the proton exchanged region.     

小型铌酸锂多功能集成光学器件

为满足小型光纤陀螺对光学器件小体积的要求,对铌酸锂多功能集成光学小型化器件的结构做了分析和优化设计。采用BPM软件分析了Y形分支波导的S形波导损耗与弯曲长度及折射率差的关系。通过调整退火质子交换的工艺参数,增加了波导对光的束缚能力;降低了小型化芯片上S形波导的弯曲损耗;去掉了原有Y形波导的输出端直波导,直接由S形弯曲波导引至输出端,在更短的芯片上得到了更长的弯曲过渡区。设计制作的芯片长度由常规的20 mm减至12.5 mm,封装后的器件长度减小到20 mm,为目前同类常规器件尺寸的2/3。设计制作的器件插入损耗典型值小于2.5 dB,全温损耗变化量小于0.2 dB。     

Integrated optical Ti:Er:LiNbO3 distributed Bragg reflector laser with a fixed photorefractive grating

For the first time to the authors' knowledge, an integrated optical distributed Bragg reflector laser with a fixed photorefractive grating in LiNbO(3) is demonstrated. Sample preparation, grating fabrication, and laser characteristics are reported. The device is pumped by a fiber pigtailed laser diode (lambda(p) approximately 1480 nm) through the Bragg grating in a double-pass configuration, yielding an emission in the backward direction at lambda=1531.7nm . The laser threshold is 40 mW; as much as 5 mW of output power has been obtained at 110 mW of launched pump power in cw operation.     

Q-switched Ti:Er:LiNbO3 waveguide laser

Q-switched operation of a Ti:Er:LiNbO3 waveguide laser has been achieved with up to 2.4 W pulse peak power (0.18J) at 2kHz repetition frequency with an intracavity Mach–Zehnder-type amplitude modulator. A theoretical model has been developed to describe the laser operation. Good agreement between numerical and experimental results has been achieved. Significant potential for improvement is predicted.     

Raman study on vapor-phase equilibrated Er:LiNbO3 and Er:Ti:LiNbO3 crystals

Raman spectra of Er:LiNbO₃ crystal and Ti-diffusedEr:LiNbO₃ strip waveguide, in which the Li/Nb ratio was altered using a vapor-phase equilibration (VPE) technique, were measured at room temperature in the wave-number range 50–3500 cm^-1. Both 488 and 514.5 nm radiations were used to excite Raman scattering, A₁(TO) and E(TO) modes were recorded at backward scattering geometry. The results indicated that the lattice vibrational spectra of the as-grown Er:LiNbO₃ are almost the same as those of pure LiNbO₃ except for the little shift of the peak position and the change of relative intensity of some peaks. In comparison with the spectra of as-grown Er:LiNbO₃ crystal the vapor-phase equilibrated Er:LiNbO₃ and Er:Ti:LiNbO₃ crystals in the lattice vibrational region exhibit the following features: firstly, Raman peaks become narrow, indicating that the VPE process has brought Er:LiNbO₃ and Er:Ti:LiNbO₃ crystals closer to a stoichiometric composition; secondly, relative intensity of some peaks varies with the VPE time; and finally, slight blue shifting in peak position was observed. Some of these features were correlated with the NbO₆ octahedra and with the site distribution of the doped Er ions. In addition, green fluorescence peaks and/or bands associated with the electron transitions ² H _11/2?⁴ I _15/2 and ⁴ S _3/2?⁴ I _15/2 of the doped Er³⁺ were also observed. For 488 nm excitation they appear in the wavenumber range of 1200–3000 cm^-1 and are well separated from lattice vibrational region; for 514.5 nm excitation, however, these fluorescence peaks shift towards the low wavenumber region and overlap partially with the lattice vibrational spectra. Received: 24 May 2000 / Accepted: 29 May 2000 / Published online: 13 September 2000     

极化子荧光及其断层扫描对Ti:LiNbO3光波导表征研究

小极化子(NbLi4+)荧光处于700-950 nm谱段,对不同化学还原程度同组分的纯铌酸锂晶体的研究表明荧光的强度反映了化学还原程度的强弱.从小极化子浅层能级出发,提出以"1中心3级态跃迁"来描述小极化子的受激荧光过程.钛扩散铌酸锂光波导(Ti:LiNbO3)表面还原程度的均匀性可能在波导制造的热扩散过程中被破坏.在对铌酸锂波导表面、深部的扫描结果中,荧光的强度呈现出表面与深部、波导内与外的差异,表面的强度是深部的6-8倍.研究表明,利用非损伤性的极化子荧光谱,对加工过程热处理进行检控是非常有效的.同时,波导内与外的荧光强度差异间接反映了波导的横切面的外形.