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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Fabrication of 1-D Photonic Crystal Cavity on a Nanofiber Using Femtosecond Laser-induced Ablation
Published on: February 25, 2017
Arbitrary-lattice photonic crystals created by multiphoton microfabrication
Optics Letters
|November 28, 2007
Summary
Researchers created photonic lattices using laser-written "photonic atoms" in silica. This method enables precise defect engineering for advanced photonic devices and applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photonic crystals are engineered materials with optical properties analogous to semiconductors.
- Creating precise, defect-free photonic structures is crucial for controlling light propagation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for fabricating photonic lattices using laser-induced refractive index modifications.
- To demonstrate the formation of photonic bandgaps (PBGs) in these engineered structures.
- To explore the potential for introducing defects for photonic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing femtosecond laser pulses to induce multiphoton absorption in Ge-doped silica, creating localized refractive index changes (voxels).
- Spatially organizing these voxels as 'photonic atoms' to mimic crystal structures.
- Employing postfabrication annealing to minimize scattering and improve PBG characteristics.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated photonic lattices with voxels acting as photonic atoms.
- Observed Bragg-like diffraction, confirming the photonic bandgap (PBG) effect.
- Demonstrated that annealing significantly reduces scattering and enhances the PBG.
Conclusions:
- The femtosecond laser writing technique offers precise control over photonic atom placement.
- Annealing is critical for optimizing PBG performance by reducing scattering.
- The ability to individually address and modify voxels facilitates defect engineering, making this technique highly promising for photonic research and applications.
