title: Broadband NIR emission in sol-gel Er(3+)-activated SiO2-Ta2O5 glass ceramic planar and channel waveguides for optical application.
abstract: An Er(3+)-doped SiO2:Ta2O5 optical channel waveguide and nanocomposite were prepared by the sol-gel route at a Si:Ta 50:50 molar ratio. Channels with an excellent surface profile were easily and quickly fabricated by focusing a femtosecond laser onto the surface of multilayered films deposited on SiO2/Si substrates. In parallel, the same sol used to prepare the film was annealed at 900, 1000, and 1100 degrees C for 2 h, to get the nanocomposite materials. A broadband NIR emission around 1538 nm, assigned to the 4I13/2 --> 4I15/2 transition of the Er3+ ions was observed in the nanocomposites of amorphous SiO2 containing dispersed Ta2O5 nanocrystals. The 4I13/2 lifetime and emission bandwidth depend on the annealing temperature. In conclusion, Er(3+)-doped SiO2:Ta2O5 channel waveguides and nanocomposites are promising materials for photonic applications.
authors: Departamento de Ouímica, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, USP - Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto/SP 14040-901, Brazil.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Ferrari
authors: K O
authors: KO
authors: Limal
authors: L J Q
authors: LJ
authors: Maia
authors: S J L
authors: SJ
authors: Ribeiro
authors: A S L
authors: AS
authors: Gomes
authors: R R
authors: RR
authors: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007259:Infrared Rays; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010316:Particle Size; D044367:Phase Transition; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000295:instrumentation*