3D Photonics in the Mid-infrared: Parametric study of ultrafast laser inscribed waveguides for stellar interferometry

Abstract : We present a study on glass materials that are potentially suitable for the fabrication of low-loss waveguides in the mid-infrared, more specifically in the region 3 - 5 μm. The midinfrared is especially interesting for applications such as molecular fingerprinting and interferometry for Earth-like exoplanet hunting. We study the optical properties of different glasses and use the femtosecond laser direct-write technique to inscribe waveguides inside them. We characterized the single-mode transmission properties of the waveguides, mode confinement and induced refractive index change as well as determined the waveguide propagation losses. © OSA 2016.