Elaboration and characterization of Gd2O3 waveguiding thin films prepared by the sol-gel process

Waveguiding thin films of gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) were prepared by a conventional sol-gel process. The films were successfully synthesized using gadolinium isopropoxide in toluene/isopropanol (3:2). A homogeneous and stable solution was obtained by the reaction with acetylacetone. Precursor films were deposited using a dip coating method. The layers' crystallization conditions were carefully studied to obtain the purr gadolinium oxide phase. Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) was obtained at annealing temperatures around 650 degreesC. Thermal differential analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy in waveguiding configuration were used to characterize the gadolinium oxide films. Optical properties of the waveguiding layers are presented and discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.