Characterization of proton-exchanged waveguides in MgO:LiNbO(3)

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photonics
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) is a key material for nonlinear optics and integrated photonics.
• High optical damage thresholds are crucial for power-intensive photonic applications.
• MgO-doping enhances the optical damage resistance of LiNbO3.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize proton-exchanged waveguides in MgO-doped LiNbO3.
• To evaluate the performance and optical damage resistance of these waveguides.
• To compare waveguide properties in MgO-doped LiNbO3 with those in undoped LiNbO3.

Main Methods:

• Proton exchange in pure benzoic acid as the proton source.
• Fabrication of waveguides in MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystals.
• Characterization of waveguide parameters and optical damage threshold measurements.

Main Results:

• Waveguide characteristics in MgO-doped LiNbO3 are comparable to undoped LiNbO3.
• Slower diffusion rates were observed in MgO-doped LiNbO3.
• Etching of the y-face was avoided using pure benzoic acid.
• An optical damage threshold of 70 kW/cm² at 0.5145 µm was measured, a twofold improvement over undoped LiNbO3.

Conclusions:

• Proton-exchanged waveguides in MgO-doped LiNbO3 offer superior optical damage resistance.
• MgO-doped LiNbO3 is a promising material for high-power integrated photonic devices.
• Optimized fabrication processes using pure benzoic acid are effective.