Nonlinear optic and magneto-optic in glass and glass-ceramics containing niobium and tantalum

Abstract

The development of materials for the construction of fully optical communication networks requires the improvement of integrated optical and photonic devices. Oxide glasses containing niobium and tantalum are promising for passive and active devices due to their linear and non-linear optical properties. In this work, glass and glass-ceramics based on germanates and phosphates containing niobium (a national resource) and tantalum will be studied because they have a wide transmission window, high refractive indices and optical properties superior to conventional silicate glasses. The nonlinear properties resulting from optical microstructuring, after glass irradiation with femtosecond laser in the infrared region will be investigated. This study is promising, since the analysis of nonlinear optical properties will be performed in matrices already optimized and provided by Prof. Dr. Gael Poirier of the Federal University of Alfenas. In addition, the synthesis and characterization of rare-earth-doped matrices for the formation of paramagnetic terbium gallate crystals is also proposed, aiming to study the luminescent and magneto-optical properties. The synthesis and characterization of the new matrices aiming at the formation of terbium gallate crystals will be carried out at IQ-UNESP and the investigation of non-linear properties and femtosecond laser micromachining in collaboration with Professor Dr. Cleber Renato Mendonça at the Federal University of São Paulo/Campus de São Carlos and later, in France, with Professor Dr. Thierry Cardinal from Université de Bordeaux (BEPE). (AU)