Active waveguides in ferroelectric crystals by ion exchange

Erbium-doped LiNbO3 plates were produced by the ion exchange process; Compo sitional in-depth analysis of the species involved in the process, performe d by secondary ion mass spectrometry, showed that the multivalent Er3+-3Li( +) ion exchange occurs. Moreover, active properties of Er3+ ions in LiNbO3 were evidenced by photoluminescence spectroscopy. A systematic study on the role of ion exchange parameters was performed showing that erbium incorpor ation took place under different regimes. The method was demonstrated to be suitable for Er-doping of LiNbO3 crystals, with the possibility of control ling the optical performances of the material through the preparation param eters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.