Multi-beam pulsed laser deposition for advanced thin-film optical waveguides

Eason, R.W., May-Smith, T.C., Sloyan, K.A., Gazia, R, Darby, M.S.B., Sposito, A. and Parsonage, T.L. (2013) Multi-beam pulsed laser deposition for advanced thin-film optical waveguides. [in special issue: 25 Years of Pulsed Laser Deposition] Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 47 (3), 1-16. (doi:10.1088/0022-3727/47/3/034007).

Abstract

We discuss our progress in the use of multiple laser beams and multiple targets for the pulsed laser deposition of thin films for waveguide laser and magneto-optic applications. In contrast to the more widely used single-beam/single-target geometries, having more than one laser-produced plume can allow tuning of the material properties and complex engineering of the deposited thin films. For optical applications - the majority of the work reported here - dopants can be selectively introduced, lattice mismatch and residual strain can be compensated, which is an important factor for successful growth of thin films of ~ tens of microns thickness, and refractive index values can be adjusted for fabrication of sophisticated waveguiding structures. We discuss mixed, layered, superlattice and Bragg reflector growth, which involve out-of-plane engineering of the film structure, and in-plane engineered geometries for designs relevant to thin-film disc lasing devices. Finally we briefly discuss our most recent use of multi-plume growth for magneto-optic thin films, which involves compositional tuning of final magnetic properties.

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Contributors

Author: R.W. Eason

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