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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Thermally induced optical bistability in Yb3+-Er3+ co-doped phosphate glass microspheres at room temperature

Jonathan M. Ward, Danny G. O’Shea, Brian Shortt, Síle Nic Chormaic

Published Jun 17, 2007• 0 citations
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Abstract

Microsphere cavities offer appealing advantages for applications as miniature light sources due to their small size, high quality factor and low mode volume. Active spheres can be fabricated from glass doped with rare-earth ions such as Er3+ and Yb3+. The close proximity of energy levels in these triply-ionized ions is of particular advantage for obtaining fluorescence emissions through various upconversion mechanisms [1]. Here we report the first observation of chromatic and intensity optical bistability (OB) in a commercial, active, phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere driven by thermal avalanche at room temperature. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of simultaneous intensity OB (at multiple wavelengths) and chromatic OB in a single material.

Related papers

Thermally induced optical bistability in Yb 3+ -Er 3+ co-doped phosphate glass microspheres at room temperature

Jonathan M. Ward, Danny G. O’Shea, B. J. Shorttt +1 more

This paper reports the first observation of chromatic and intensity optical bistability (OB) in a commercial, active, phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere driven by thermal avalanche at room temperature. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of simultaneous intensity OB (at multiple wavelengths) and chromatic OB in a single material.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2007•0 citations

Optical bistability in Er-Yb codoped phosphate glass microspheres at room temperature

Jonathan M. Ward, Danny G. O’Shea, Brian Shortt +1 more

We experimentally demonstrate optical bistability in Er3+-Yb3+ phosphate glass microspheres at 295 K. Bistability is associated with both Er3+ fluorescence and lasing behavior, and chromatic switching. The chromatic switching results from an intrinsic mechanism exploiting the thermal coupling of closely spaced energy levels, and occurs simultaneously with the intensity switching. A contrast ratio of 2.8 has been obtained for chromatic switching. The intensity switching shows ratios of 21 for 520 nm and 11 for 660 nm fluorescence emissions, and 11 for IR lasing at 1.5 μm. Concurrent with these observations, we investigate a temperature-dependent absorption of pump power, which exhibits bistable behavior. The influences of the host matrix on lasing and fluorescence mechanisms are highlighted.

arXiv:physics/0702139•Journal of Applied Physics•Jul 15, 2007•38 citations

Luminescent instabilities in dense rare earth ion systems.

Amos Kuditcher

This thesis reports experiments and theory on intrinsic mirrorless bistability in the luminescence of ytterbium-doped crystals and glasses. The main results are the observation of intrinsically bistable luminescence at room temperature and chromatic switching at low temperature, reported here for the first time. The nonlinear dynamics responsible for these optical phenomena are shown to arise from ion-ion interactions controlled by the application of resonant electromagnetic fields. On the theoretical side, the classical Lorentz local field correction is shown to be the lowest order term of radiation-driven correlation contributions to local polarization which arise from inter-ion coherences and cooperative relaxation and frequency shifts beyond the dynamic shift are predicted. The nonlinear Maxwell-Bloch equations are extended to describe energy transfer between different species of ions predicting bistability in excited state populations which then emit bistable luminescence as a consequence, and an intensity dependent transfer rate is predicted. Diffusive excitation migration in space is also explored as a possible mechanism for generating multiple instabilities, but is not predicted to give rise to hysteresis loops by itself. On the experimental side, original observations of intrinsic optical switching and hysteresis are reported in the luminescence of Yb:CsCdBr 3 and Yb, Tm:glass. Evidence of cross-coupling between different impurities is also presented, together with spectroscopic details of intrinsic chromatic switching between different luminescent transitions of the acceptor species in Yb, Er:CsCdBr3 excited at the infrared Yb resonance wavelength. Conclusive spectroscopic evidence that excludes thermal effects as responsible for low temperature intrinsic switching is also presented. Room temperature intrinsic optical switching and hysteresis are reported for the first time in bulk Yb,Tm:glass samples. Switching, hysteresis, and clamping of laser output from waveguide channels fabricated in the glass material are also reported and indicate fundamental design limitations for compact optical amplifiers and oscillators.

•Jan 1, 1999•0 citations

Intrinsic chromatic switching of visible luminescence in Yb^3+,Er^3+:CsCdBr_3

Shawn M. Redmond, Stephen Colby Rand

Bistability is reported in sensitized Er3+ luminescence driven by an Yb3+ transition that previously revealed an Yb3+ luminescent instability. To our knowledge this is the first report of bistable energy transfer between different rare-earth ions.

Optics Letters•Feb 1, 2003•29 citations

Thermo-Optical Tuning of Whispering Gallery Modes in Erbium:Ytterbium Doped Glass Microspheres to Arbitrary Probe Wavelengths

Amy Watkins, Jonathan M. Ward, Síle Nic Chormaic

We present experimental results on an all-optical, thermally-assisted technique for broad range tuning of microsphere cavity resonance modes to arbitrary probe wavelengths. An erbium:ytterbium co-doped phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere is pumped at 978 nm via the supporting stem and the heat generated by absorption of the pump light expands the cavity and changes the refractive index. This is a robust tuning method that decouples the pump from the probe and allows fine tuning of the microsphere's whispering gallery modes. Pump/probe experiments were performed to demonstrate thermo-optical tuning to specific probe wavelengths, including the 5 S 1/2 F= 3 to 5 P 3/2 F'= 4 laser cooling transition of rubidium-85. This is of particular interest for cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED)-type experiments, while the broad tuning range achievable is useful for integrated photonic devices, including sensors and modulators.

Japanese Journal of Applied Physics•May 1, 2012•15 citations

Thermo-Optical Tuning of Whispering Gallery Modes in Erbium:Ytterbium Doped Glass Microspheres to Arbitrary Probe Wavelengths

Amy Watkins, Jonathan Ward, Síle Nic Chormaic

We present experimental results on an all-optical, thermally-assisted technique for broad range tuning of microsphere cavity resonance modes to arbitrary probe wavelengths. An erbium:ytterbium co-doped phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere is pumped at 978 nm via the supporting stem and the heat generated by absorption of the pump light expands the cavity and changes the refractive index. This is a robust tuning method that decouples the pump from the probe and allows fine tuning of the microsphere's whispering gallery modes. Pump/probe experiments were performed to demonstrate thermo-optical tuning to specific probe wavelengths, including the5S1/2F= 3 to5P3/2F'= 4 laser cooling transition of rubidium-85. This is of particular interest for cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED)-type experiments, while the broad tuning range achievable is useful for integrated photonic devices, including sensors and modulators.

arXiv:1203.1434•Japanese Journal of Applied Physics•Apr 27, 2012•14 citations
Microsphere cavities offer appealing advantages for applications as miniature light sources due to their small size, high quality factor and low mode volume. Active spheres can be fabricated from glass doped with rare-earth ions such as Er3+ and Yb3+. The close proximity of energy levels in these triply-ionized ions is of particular advantage for obtaining fluorescence emissions through various upconversion mechanisms [1]. Here we report the first observation of chromatic and intensity optical bistability (OB) in a commercial, active, phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere driven by thermal avalanche at room temperature. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of simultaneous intensity OB (at multiple wavelengths) and chromatic OB in a single material.
We experimentally demonstrate optical bistability in Er3+-Yb3+ phosphate glass microspheres at 295 K. Bistability is associated with both Er3+ fluorescence and lasing behavior, and chromatic switching. The chromatic switching results from an intrinsic mechanism exploiting the thermal coupling of closely spaced energy levels, and occurs simultaneously with the intensity switching. A contrast ratio of 2.8 has been obtained for chromatic switching. The intensity switching shows ratios of 21 for 520 nm and 11 for 660 nm fluorescence emissions, and 11 for IR lasing at 1.5 μm. Concurrent with these observations, we investigate a temperature-dependent absorption of pump power, which exhibits bistable behavior. The influences of the host matrix on lasing and fluorescence mechanisms are highlighted.
This thesis reports experiments and theory on intrinsic mirrorless bistability in the luminescence of ytterbium-doped crystals and glasses. The main results are the observation of intrinsically bistable luminescence at room temperature and chromatic switching at low temperature, reported here for the first time. The nonlinear dynamics responsible for these optical phenomena are shown to arise from ion-ion interactions controlled by the application of resonant electromagnetic fields. On the theoretical side, the classical Lorentz local field correction is shown to be the lowest order term of radiation-driven correlation contributions to local polarization which arise from inter-ion coherences and cooperative relaxation and frequency shifts beyond the dynamic shift are predicted. The nonlinear Maxwell-Bloch equations are extended to describe energy transfer between different species of ions predicting bistability in excited state populations which then emit bistable luminescence as a consequence, and an intensity dependent transfer rate is predicted. Diffusive excitation migration in space is also explored as a possible mechanism for generating multiple instabilities, but is not predicted to give rise to hysteresis loops by itself. On the experimental side, original observations of intrinsic optical switching and hysteresis are reported in the luminescence of Yb:CsCdBr 3 and Yb, Tm:glass. Evidence of cross-coupling between different impurities is also presented, together with spectroscopic details of intrinsic chromatic switching between different luminescent transitions of the acceptor species in Yb, Er:CsCdBr3 excited at the infrared Yb resonance wavelength. Conclusive spectroscopic evidence that excludes thermal effects as responsible for low temperature intrinsic switching is also presented. Room temperature intrinsic optical switching and hysteresis are reported for the first time in bulk Yb,Tm:glass samples. Switching, hysteresis, and clamping of laser output from waveguide channels fabricated in the glass material are also reported and indicate fundamental design limitations for compact optical amplifiers and oscillators.
We present experimental results on an all-optical, thermally-assisted technique for broad range tuning of microsphere cavity resonance modes to arbitrary probe wavelengths. An erbium:ytterbium co-doped phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere is pumped at 978 nm via the supporting stem and the heat generated by absorption of the pump light expands the cavity and changes the refractive index. This is a robust tuning method that decouples the pump from the probe and allows fine tuning of the microsphere's whispering gallery modes. Pump/probe experiments were performed to demonstrate thermo-optical tuning to specific probe wavelengths, including the 5 S 1/2 F= 3 to 5 P 3/2 F'= 4 laser cooling transition of rubidium-85. This is of particular interest for cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED)-type experiments, while the broad tuning range achievable is useful for integrated photonic devices, including sensors and modulators.
We present experimental results on an all-optical, thermally-assisted technique for broad range tuning of microsphere cavity resonance modes to arbitrary probe wavelengths. An erbium:ytterbium co-doped phosphate glass (Schott IOG-2) microsphere is pumped at 978 nm via the supporting stem and the heat generated by absorption of the pump light expands the cavity and changes the refractive index. This is a robust tuning method that decouples the pump from the probe and allows fine tuning of the microsphere's whispering gallery modes. Pump/probe experiments were performed to demonstrate thermo-optical tuning to specific probe wavelengths, including the5S1/2F= 3 to5P3/2F'= 4 laser cooling transition of rubidium-85. This is of particular interest for cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED)-type experiments, while the broad tuning range achievable is useful for integrated photonic devices, including sensors and modulators.