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Enhancing Waveguide Performance in La3+-Doped Tellurite Glasses: Energy-Induced Structural Tuning for Reduced Propagation Loss

  • 0São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 369, 13560-970 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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June 16, 2025

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June 16, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Femtosecond laser processing of lanthanum-doped tellurium-zinc glass alters its structure, forming TeO4 bonds. This modification enhances optical waveguide performance by reducing light loss and improving confinement.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Optoelectronics
  • Laser Physics

Background

  • Femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation induces significant structural and chemical changes in La<sup>3+</sup>-doped tellurium-zinc (TZL) glass.
  • These modifications create distinct surface and volume compositions, notably transforming TeO<sub>3</sub> to TeO<sub>4</sub> and stabilizing the glass network.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the structural transformations in fs-laser-processed TZL glass.
  • To analyze the impact of La<sup>3+</sup> concentration and the TeO<sub>3</sub>/TeO<sub>4</sub> ratio on waveguide optical properties.
  • To quantitatively correlate spectroscopic structural changes with waveguide performance.

Main Methods

  • Confocal 2D Raman spectroscopy to analyze structural changes (TeO<sub>3</sub> and TeO<sub>4</sub> bonds).
  • Propagation loss measurements to assess waveguide optical performance.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy for structural characterization.
  • Computational simulations to model electric field and refractive index profiles.

Main Results

  • Fs-laser processing promotes TeO<sub>4</sub> formation, stabilizing the glass network.
  • The ratio of TeO<sub>3</sub> to TeO<sub>4</sub> bonds significantly influences light confinement and scattering in TZL glass waveguides.
  • TeO<sub>4</sub>-rich regions (TZL9) exhibited reduced propagation losses, while TeO<sub>3</sub>-rich regions (TZL5) showed higher losses.
  • Simulations confirmed that densification in TeO<sub>4</sub>-rich regions enhances mode confinement and reduces optical loss.

Conclusions

  • Compositional tuning via La<sup>3+</sup> doping effectively enhances waveguide performance by inducing favorable structural modifications.
  • Achieving low-loss waveguides is possible through targeted structural adjustments in tellurite-based glasses.
  • This research provides a quantitative link between spectroscopic structural analysis and optical performance, crucial for advanced photonic devices.