Single-mode Ag-As2Se3 strip-loaded waveguides for applications to all-optical devices

We report the fabrication and characterization of Ag-As2Se3 strip-loaded waveguides fabricated by the standard lift-off method and photodoping, where Ag-As2Se3 (i.e., Agx(As0.4Se0.6)100-x) is a very promising material for all-optical switching devices because of a high third-order optical nonlinearity. Absorption coefficient of the bulk glasses is also presented for different values of the Ag content x. The addition of Ag into an As2Se3 guiding layer increases its nonlinearity and eliminates or weakens a harmful photo-oxidation reaction of As2Se3 films. The measured propagation loss in the single-mode waveguides with the Ag content x=3 at.% was 0.5 dB/cm at a wavelength of 1.053 mum and was attributable to the absorption loss in the waveguide materials.