Advances in ultrafast laser inscription in optical materials: from fundamentals to technological applications

G. A. TORCHIA; M. TEJERINA; D. BIASETTI; V. GUAREPI; D. PRESTI; R. PEYTON; F. VIDELA; E. NEYRA

Barcelona

Congreso; Europhoton 2018; 2018

In this contribution, we would like to introduce some fundamental studies and technological developments in integrated photonics fabricated by ultrafast laser inscription (ULI). Two decades ago, a pioneer article written by K. Hirao et al. [1], showed that using a femtosecond laser pulse systems it is possible to modify in a precise and permanent way the optical properties of a transparent material. This process allows the direct writing of guiding structures in several optical materials, commonly known as of waveguides which are the base of optical circuits. As it is well known, this technique presents very useful advantages over other methods, such as rapid prototyping, maskless, 3D architecture, low cost among others so many contributions of ULI applications were reported.