ERBIUM DOPING OF LINBO3 BY THE ION-EXCHANGE PROCESS

Erbium-doped LiNbO3 slides are fabricated by the ion exchange process. Compositional in-depth profiles of the species involved in the exchan ge are obtained by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic prop erties of Er3+ ions in the matrix are determined by photoluminescence spectroscopy. Structural and spectroscopic analyses suggest the format ion of two different microstructures in the exchanged region. The pote ntial of ion exchange for a controlled doping of LiNbO3 is outlined. ( C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.