Table of Contents
Optical properties research challenges
It remains challenging to examine the optical properties of materials that can be effectively utilized for the development of advanced technologies in various fields of application. The reason is challenging access to surface alteration that enhances new opportunities for light manipulation beyond already well-known optical properties. Testing of optical properties is more difficult at the nanoscale level. Even several decades of research did not make reliable in-depth optical characterization possible beyond the material surface. Laser system lithography advances the optical properties research and allows etching a huge range of materials, as well as polymers, silicon, and even silica glass.
Transition from 2D to 3D nanophotonic tools
It is planned to extend 2D nanophotonic tools of high quality to 3D with the help of infrared femtosecond laser direct writing. This 3D technique will greatly change nonlinear optics and optical communication at the nanoscale level and even make the material manufacturing more reliable.
Alternative approach with micro-explosions
Also, there is an alternative way that uses laser systems and micro-explosions inside crystals, but this method has a lot of risks, such as lattice damage and crack propagation. Recently, a group of researchers proposed a novel way that has great potential is the creation of dense nanopores in the lattice using 3D laser system writing.
Advantages of the 3D laser system writing
For the experiments, the researchers use a conventional 3D laser system writing with a ytterbium ultrafast fiber laser. The technique includes the following advantages:
- required optical response due to nanophotonic element design and manufacture inside a crystal;
- control the possibility of properties, including pore size, filling fraction, direction, and shape, nanopore lattice length due to the combination of 3D laser system writing and wet etching;
- studying both linear and circular laser beam polarizations.
Disadvantages of 3D photonic structures
The proposed way is not ideal, and 3-D photonic structures have some disadvantages:
- their space isolation;
- need for supporting walls;
- shrinking and a low optical damage level.
The ability of lattice formation monitoring at the nanoscale level will be quite effective in practical photonic applications because it allows the design of compact, monolithic solid-state lasers.