Photonic Properties and Applications of Glass Micro- and Nanospheres
G.C. Righini1,2, S. Pelli1, G. Nunzi Conti1, M. Brenci1, E. Moser3, Y. Jestin4,
M. Ferrari4, P. Féron5, A. Chiasera4, A. Chiappini4, C. Armellini4
1
Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technologies, Nello Carrara Institute of Applied
Physics, IFAC - CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, I-50127 Firenze, Italy.
2
CNR, Department of Materials and Devices, via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Roma, Italy
3
Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento & CSMFO Lab., via Sommarive 14,
38050 Povo-Trento, Italy.
4
CNR-IFN, Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, CSMFO Lab., via alla Cascata 56/c, 38050
Povo-Trento, Italy.
5
Laboratoire d'optronique (CNRS-UMR 6082-Foton), ENSSAT, 6 rue de kérampont,
22300 Lannion, France.
Corresponding author email: g.c.righini@ifac.cnr.it
We report on fabrication, morphological and spectroscopic assessment of micro and nanospheres.
Spheres with size ranging from few hundreds of nm to few hundreds of m were prepared by
different methods i.e. sol-gel, melting and core-shell techniques. The following systems are
discussed: (i) coated micro and nanospheres where the silica core, obtained both by telecom fiber
melting and by sol-gel, is coated with an Er3+-70SiO2-30HfO2 or an Er3+-SiO2 film, respectively; (ii)
Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ -activated microspheres obtained by silicate-modified glasses and phosphate
glasses using a plasma torch; (iii) Er3+ sol-gel derived silica spheres. The presented fabrication
techniques are friendly methods leading to high quality surfaces of the spheres. When the spheres
exhibit the suitable optical parameters also whispering gallery mode spectra were analysed as a
function of sphere diameter, thickness of coating and erbium content. It is demonstrated that it is
possible to select the radial order n tailoring the whispering gallery modes. The quasi-independent
behaviour, observed for coated micro-spheres, and due to thermal effect linked to the injected pump,
brings a major interest for lasing applications. Sol gel-derived core-shell-like Er3+-activated silica
spheres was obtained by seeded growth. Typical photoluminescence spectrum of erbium, with a
lifetime of 12.8 ms, was observed leading to a quantum efficiency of 71%. As far as concerns Er3+solnanospheres to fabrication of specific photonic crystals structures will be also presented.
--------------------------------------------PRIMARY TOPIC: M
SECONDARY TOPIC: I
THIRD TOPIC: P
PREFERRED FORMAT OF PRESENTATION
LECTURE)
--------------------------------------------Corresponding author name: Giancarlo C.Righini
Corresponding author email: g.c.righini@ifac.cnr.it
(ORAL/POSTER):
ORAL
(INVITED
TOPICS
Please choose primary and secondary topics
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B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
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U
V
W
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Optical properties of materials
A1
General
A2
Crystals
A3
Polycrystalline bulk and film
A4
Amorphous and organics
A5
Nanostructures, including photonic crystals
Preparation and Characterization of Quantum Dots, Quantum Wires and
Other Quantum Structures
Excitonic Processes
Luminescence, Phosphors, Scintillators and Applications
Photoinduced Effects and Applications
Photoconductivity and Photogeneration
Nonlinear Optical Effects and Applications
Electro-Optic Effects and Applications
Glasses for Optics, Optoelectronics and Photonics (including ZBLAN,
fluozirconate, oxyfluoride and other glasses)
Polymers for Optics, Optoelectronics and Photonics
Semiconductors for Optoelectronics
J1
Semiconductors for Optoelectronics: Wide Bandgap
J2
Semiconductors for Optoelectronics: Narrow Bandgap
J3
Semiconductors for Optoelectronics: Heterostructures
Light Emitting Devices (including organics)
Photonic and Optoelectronic Materials and Devices (including devices for
telecommunications, laser and detectors)
Optical Storage
Photovoltaics (materials and devices, and their properties)
Waveguides and Integrated Photonics
Silicon Photonics
Optical Fibers and Fiber Sensors
Experimental Techniques
Femtosecond Spectroscopy
Teraherz (THz) techniques, including materials, emitters and detectors
Defect Spectroscopy
Plasmons and Surface Plasmons
Selected Topics (e.g. Photocatalysts in Materials, Materials for Energy
Conversion etc)
Abstract submission
Deadline: 17 March, 2008
Note: Late abstracts may be considered at the discretion of the conference
organizers.
Abstract acceptance: 4 April, 2008
Manuscripts: To be submitted either before or during the conference using the
instructions on the conference website