Chalcogenide glass microspheres; their production characterization and potential

Abstract

Micro-resonators have attracted considerable attention as a potential geometry for photonic devices used in multiplexing, memory and switching. These all-optical-resonators allow light at certain wavelengths to build up in intensity allowing nonlinear effects to be seen for much lower input power than in a bulk material. We report here on microspheres made from gallium-lanthanum-sulphide glass. Spheres have been produced with diameters from less than 1μm up to 450μm, and we demonstrate a first measured quality factor of 8x10⁴ at 1.55μm, for a chalcogenide sphere diameter of 100μm. We also predict an ultimate Q of up to 4x10¹⁰ at 3μm.

Optics Express (2007) Vol.15 pp.17542-17553

Publisher′s URL: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-15-26-17542

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