Active waveguides in ferroelectric crystals by ion exchange

Erbium-doped LiNbO3 plates were produced by the ion exchange process. Compositional in-depth analysis of the species involved in the process, performed by secondary ion mass spectrometry, showed that the multivalent Er3+-3Li+ ion exchange occurs. Moreover, active properties of Er3+ ions in LiNbO3 were evidenced by photoluminescence spectroscopy. A systematic study on the role of ion exchange parameters was performed showing that erbium incorporation took place under different regimes. The method was demonstrated to be suitable for Er-doping of LiNbO3 crystals, with the possibility of controlling the optical performances of the material through the preparation parameters.