The Review of Laser Engineering

Special Issue on Micro-Photonic devices and Functional Integration

Special Issue

Laser Reviews

Preface to Special Issue on Micro-Photonic Devices and Functional Integration

Kazuyoshi ITOH

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 248
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.248

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Plasmon-Mode Metal Waveguides for Ultra-Dense Optical Integrated Circuits

Yoshitada KATAGIRI, Yoshiaki NAKANO, Ikutaro KOBAYASHI, Yasuyuki MITSU ...

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 249-256
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.249

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Surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) act as extraordinary electromagnetic waves having spatially squeezed field intensity distributions, that couple with oscillation of dense conductive matter and propagate at a metal-dielectric interface. Plasmon-mode metal waveguides are the channels to support their propagation. Characterization based on Maxwell equations gives clear understanding of the plasmon mode in terms of their propagation properties, such as dispersion relations. The method is extended to the analysis of the waveguides with slab structures. Experiments performed with devices having simple metal stripes on dielectric substrates and devices having micro-strip structures to show their promising performance for future ultra-high density photonic integration. An innovative trial of light confinement in a small space, where free-space light waves can never exist, is further described.

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Prospect and Current Status of Optical Communication Devices Based on Planar Lightwave Circuits

Hisato UETSUKA

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 257-261
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.257

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Current status of optical communication devices based on planar lightwave circuits is described from the technical and marketing points of view. The main market place for optical devices has been shifting from the trunk networks to metropolitan networks in which Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems are deployed for quick provisioning. In this situation, the prerequisite features for optical devices are the low cost, the compactness and the automatic controllability in optical power of each WDM signal. The prospect on the planar lightwave circuits is also presented in the view of the future trend of the lightwave systems.

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Waveguide Nonlinear-Optic Devices for Optical Communications

Toshiaki SUHARA

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 262-266
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.262

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Waveguide-type quasi-phase matched (QPM) nonlinear-optic devices offer numerous applications in optoelectronics area. Wavelength converters based on QPM difference frequency generation (DFG) have advantages of wide wavelength coverage, wide bandwidth, high efficiency, high transparency for various data format, low noise and integration compatibility. Various ultrafast optical signal processing such as optical sampling and optical gate switching can also be performed. Recent progress in this subarea is reviewed with emphasis on research work of the author’s group using LiNbO₃ QPM waveguides.

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Dense Integration of Optical Filter Circuit by Vertically Coupled Microring Resonator with Cross Grid Geometry

Yasuo KOKUBUN

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 267-275
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.267

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We have proposed and demonstrated a vertically coupled microring resonator (VCMRR) filter. This configuration has many features, such as the independent optimum design of lower waveguide and upper ring, and the possibility of dense integration resulting from the cross-grid configuration. In addition, the coupling strength between the ring and bus waveguides can be controlled more precisely than the lateral coupling, because the vertical separation is obtained by the well controlled deposition rather than etching fine gaps. In this review, the recent progress in the development of compact integrated photonic functional devices using micro-ring resonator is reported. The key features of the vertically coupled micro-ring resonator filters are summarized and the potential applications of the filters leading to the development of ultra-dense integrated photonic circuits are described.

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Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Micro Optical Device

Wataru WATANABE, Kazuyoshi ITOH

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 276-281
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.276

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By use of localized modification of transparent materials with femtosecond laser pulses the fabrication of three-dimensional photonic device was become possible. In this paper, we report on the fabrication technique of three-dimensional optical devices. We show that the waveguides and the couplers can be fabricated by use of the filamentation of femtosecond laser pulses. We report on the formation and the movement of submicrometer vacancies, called voids and also the formation of three-dimensional shapes of long holes with microscopic diameters. Finally we show the formation of Bragg gratings in soda-lime glass by two-beam interference.

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Regular Papers

Laser Originals

25 J Green-Beam Generation Using Large Aperture CsLiB₆O₁₀ Frequency Doubler

Hiromitsu KIRIYAMA, Norihiro INOUE, Koichi YAMAKAWA

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 282-285
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.282

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We report on the high energy and high efficiency doubling of Nd:glass laser with large aperture CsLiB₆O₁₀ (CLBO) crystal. A green output energy of 25 J at 532-nm has been obtained with 34 J of input Nd:glass laser radiation at 370 MW/cm², corresponding to an energy conversion efficiency of 74 %. To our knowledge, this is the highest green pulse energy to date achieved in CLBO crystals. We discuss in detail the design and performance of second-harmonic generation using CLBO crystals.

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Technical Note

Pulsed Laser Irradiation for Triggered Discharge in Arc Welding System

Masahiro TSUKAMOTO, Kensuke MURAI, Manabu TANAKA, Nobuyuki ABE, Kazuhi ...

Article type: Others
Subject area: Others
2003 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 286-288
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: February 03, 2006

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2184/lsj.31.286

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We propose a new method that uses a plume produced by a pulsed laser for triggering arc discharge in a tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc welding system. When a pulsed laser is focused onto an aluminum alloy plate (anode) placed under a tungsten rod (cathode), an arc is discharged between the electrodes through a plume generated from the laser focusing spot. The disadvantages of the conventional triggering methods that require high-frequency generation, high-voltage pulse, or may cause sticking of the rod to the plate are removed in the new method. We also investigate the minimum laser energy required for triggering, and find that laser irradiation in Ar gas is preferable for triggering arc discharge in the TIG arc welding system.

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