J. C. Plenet

Inclusion of carbon nanotubes in a TiO2 sol–gel matrix

Abstract We report here the successful inclusion of carbon nanotubes (CNs) into a TiO2 matrix prepared by a sol–gel method. The presence of CNs in the sol–gel matrix and the structure of the film were analyzed principally by transmission electron microscopy. Complementary information about the behavior of embedded carbon nanotubes versus heat treatment and ion irradiation were obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The elaboration of an inorganic matrix containing embedded carbon nanotubes leads to a new nanocomposite. The possible applications of this nanocomposite are discussed.

Eu3+-doped microcavities fabricated by sol–gel process

The fabrication of microcavities by a sol–gel process and their optical properties are described. The cavities are constituted of an Eu3+-doped SiO2 active layer inserted between two Bragg mirrors, fabricated by stacking alternatiely undoped TiO2 and SiO2 sol–gel thin films. Eu3+ luminescence modification due to the cavity effect, intensity enhancement and modification of the line shape has been observed, and shows a cavity quality factor of 1200. The reflectivity factor of the associated Bragg mirrors reaches 99.8% for seven alternate SiO2/TiO2 layers.

Sol–gel fabrication of thick multilayers applied to Bragg reflectors and microcavities

Abstract We discuss attractive potentialities of the sol–gel process applied to planar microcavities with distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). This method is well known for its good flexibility and the optical quality of the thin films obtained. The DBRs are composed of alternated TiO2 and SiO2 thin films. One of the main problems of the sol–gel process is the stresses induced during the layers heat treatment leading to defects and cracks in the films. The study of these stresses shows that with the appropriate annealing temperature and duration of the firing process, the stress in the SiO2 layers partially compensates the stress in the TiO2 layers. DBRs and microcavities formed by 60 stacked layers have been elaborated in these conditions. The reflectivity of such sol–gel DBRs reaches 99.7%. The sol–gel DBRs are used to fabricate microcavities containing Eu3+ rare earth ions with a quality factor of approximately 1000.

Resonant Raman effect enhanced by surface plasmon excitation of CdSe nanocrystals embedded in thin SiO2 films

In this article, the Raman signal of CdSe nanocrystals well dispersed in a very thin SiO2 film (20 nm) has been investigated by surface plasmon excitation in a resonant Raman spectroscopy experiment. In order to perform the excitation, the thin SiO2 layer containing nanocrystals is deposited on a well-defined silver layer. The surface plasmon excitation increases the sensitivity of the Raman experiment, compared to the conventional setup, and allows the observation of a small number of nanocrystals (around 5000). The luminescence has also been measured and its dependence with the separation between the metal layer and CdSe nanocrystals is analyzed. In particular the quenching of the luminescence for thin film has been used to obtain only the Raman signal in resonant configuration.

Lithium iodate nanocrystals in Laponite matrixfor nonlinear optical applications

A Laponite clay-based lithium iodate nanocomposite have been synthesized for nonlinear optical applications. After addition of lithium iodate aqueous solution to a colloidal suspension of Laponite JS, thin layers are elaborated from this sol using dip-coating technique. After drying and heat treatments between 150 and 220°C, LiIO3 crystallizes in the matrix with nanometer size. As a result of their strong dipolar moment, the LiIO3 crystals can be orientated under an external electric field during nucleation. Planar waveguides have been elaborated on glass substrates and studied using m-lines spectroscopy. The experimental nonlinear optical response has been compared to predictions of a model and an effective nonlinear coefficient deff=1.4pm∕V has been measured.

Second-Harmonic Generation Imaging of LiIO3/Laponite Nanocomposite Waveguides

We have developed LiIO3/laponite nanocomposite thin films to form waveguides with quadratic nonlinear optical properties. The films are dip-coated and annealed to induce LiIO3 crystallisation within the laponite matrix. LiIO3 nanocrystal orientation can be controlled using an electric field during the annealing process. In this article we perform the characterisations of the nanocomposite films through m-line spectroscopy and second harmonic generation microscopy (SHGM). Both refractive indexes deduced from m-line spectra and the SHG signal are shown to depend on the nanocrystal orientation distribution, and a relationship between the optical properties and microscopic structure of the films is developed.

Orientation of LiIO3 Nanocrystals in Laponite Matrix for Periodically Structured Non-Linear Waveguides

Abstract A new clay-based nanocomposite has been developed for non-linear optical waveguiding applications. Thin layers are deposited on glass substrates by using dip coating technique from an aqueous solution made of a Laponite suspension mixed with a lithium iodate (LiIO3) aqueous solution. Transparent layers with waveguiding properties are obtained with an effective non-linear coefficient of about 1.4 pm/V for a 55% vol. LiIO3 composite. Control of nanocrystals orientation has been performed by applying an electric field with Corona discharge or deposited gold electrodes. Characterisation of nanocrystals orientation was done by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) measurements and polarised light optical microscopy.

Preparation of Thin Films Using a Sol-Gel Method

The different steps of thin film preparation by a sol-gel process are discussed: preparation of the starting solutions, control of the viscosity of the sol, deposition methods and thermal treatments. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Waveguide Raman Spectroscopy (WRS) are used to obtain structural characterization of the layers. The option of matrix doping is cited. Some optical properties of thin films using waveguide techniques and non-linear properties are underlined.