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EPSRC Reference: GR/N09787/01
Title: MID-INFRA-RED FLUORIDE WAVEGUIDE LASERS FABRICATED BY MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY
Principal Investigator: Shepherd, Professor DP
Other Investigators:
Hewak, Professor D Tropper, Professor A
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
CNRS Group
Department: Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed)
Organisation: University of Southampton
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 2000 Ends: 31 May 2003 Value (£): 208,452
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Optoelect. Devices & Circuits
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Various laser technologies have been demonstrated in the mid-IR region, of which the most compact and efficient are ZBLAN fibre and semiconductor-based lasers. Here we propose that planar waveguide lasers, based on MBE-grown rare-earth-doped LaF3 layers, can offer some significant advantages. Similarly to fibre lasers, the guidance should lead to low-threshold devices and cw room-temperature operation at high powers. However, the lower phonon energy of LaF3 compared to ZBLAN should allow operation at wavelengths longer than the 3.9um to which such fibres are currently limited. In comparison to semiconductor-based sources, MBE-grown LaF3 lasers could have advantages in terms of cw operation at room temperature and energy storage for applications that require pulsed outputs. We have recently demonstrated the first laser action in an MBE-grown fluoride waveguide based on a Nd-doped LaF3 core and CaF2 substrate and cladding layers. In this proposal we aim to extend this work to other rare-earth dopants and demonstrate efficient and compact mid-IR laser devices. This will also require optimisation of the fabrication process for low propagation loss, a spectroscopic study of the mid-IR transitions of LaF3, and a study of efficient pumping mechanisms such as cascade lasing and co-doping.
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Organisation Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk