LUMINESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF ND3+ IN ION-IMPLANTED LINBO3-ND-MGO PLANAR WAVE-GUIDES

We report high-resolution room and low-temperature photoluminescence measurements of Nd3+ ions in LiNbO3:Nd:MgO planar waveguides fabricated by the ion implantation technique. Our study is centred on the spectral region associated with the F-4(3/2) --> I-4(11/2) laser transition and the F-4(3/2) --> I-4(9/2) transition. Site-selective spectroscopic techniques have also been used and lifetime measurements are reported. Comparison of the bulk and waveguide data reveals only minor changes in the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ ions in the waveguide. This encouraging fact suggests the preservation of the host matrix crystallinity, confirming ion implantation as a good method for fabricating waveguide lasers.