Ultrafast laser written active devices

Direct-write optical waveguide device fabrication is probably the most widely studied application of fermosecond laser micromachining in transparent dielectrics at the present time. Devices such as buried waveguides, power splitters, couplers. gratings, optical amplifiers and laser oscillators have all been demonstrated. This paper reviews the application of the femtosecond laser direct-write technique to the fabrication of active waveguide devices in bulk glass materials. [GRAPHICS] White light diffraction from waveguide Bragg gratings fabricated in doped phosphate glass using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique. Such a waveguide Bragg grating was instrumental to the first demonstration of a monolithic waveguide laser using this technique. (C) 2009 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Weinheim