Three-dimensional mid-infrared photonic circuits in chalcogenide glass

Opt Lett. 2012 Feb 1;37(3):392-4. doi: 10.1364/OL.37.000392.

Abstract

We report the fabrication of single-mode buried channel waveguides for the whole mid-IR transparency range of chalcogenide sulphide glasses (λ ≤ 11 μm), by means of direct laser writing. We have explored the potential of this technology by fabricating a prototype three-dimensional three-beam combiner for future application in stellar interferometry that delivers a monochromatic interference visibility of 99.89% at 10.6 μm and an ultrahigh bandwidth (3-11 μm) interference visibility of 21.3%. These results demonstrate that it is possible to harness the whole transparency range offered by chalcogenide glasses on a single on-chip instrument by means of direct laser writing, a finding that may be of key significance in future technologies such as astrophotonics and biochemical sensing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chalcogens / chemistry*
  • Glass / chemistry*
  • Infrared Rays*
  • Photons*
  • Sulfides / chemistry

Substances

  • Chalcogens
  • Sulfides