Effects of Birefringence on the Electromagnetic Guidance of Structures Produced by Femtosecond Laser

Abstract

Abstract Analysis of the state of polarization of light guided by structures recorded in lithium niobate and lithium fluoride crystals indicates that the recording method is determinant in the formation of birefringent structures. Each structure was written with a single and continuous translation of the crystal transversally to the laser beam. Birefringence was observed in the structures recorded in both crystals, despite the lack of intrinsic birefringence in lithium fluoride. The recorded structures are anisotropic showing regions with different birefringence. The structure generated with femtosecond laser is directly linked to the recording method and the crystalline lattice. This characteristic can be advantageous for application in photonic devices.

Keywords

• Lithium Fluoride
• Lithium Niobate
• State of Polarization
• Waveguide Femtosecond Writing