Scanning confocal fluorescence imaging and micro-Raman investigations of oxygen implanted channel waveguides in Nd:MgO:LiNbO3

The spatial variation of the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ ions in oxygen implanted Nd : MgO:: LiNbO3 channel waveguides have been investigated by scanning confocal microluminescence experiments. Although the radiative probabilities of Nd3+ ions were unaffected by the waveguide fabrication procedure, slight changes (in terms of spectral position and width of the emission lines) have been found in the electronic damage region. Raman spectra have been also analyzed in order to get a further understanding on the possible relation of these spectral changes with the micro-modifications induced during the waveguide formation. 2008 American Institute of Physics