Formation of channels containing lead sulfide quantum dots using continuous-wave laser for active planar waveguides in glasses

PbS quantum dots (QDs) and channels containing QDs were fabricated by irradiation with a continuous-wave (cw) laser at lambda = 532 nm. Channels with diameters of 36 similar to 52 mu m were formed by scanning with the laser at 6-8 mu m.s(-1). Photoluminescence centered at lambda = 1290 nm was recorded. Precipitation of PbS QDs inside glasses increased their refractive indices by as much as similar to 0.002. These channels are expected to provide active waveguides that operate in telecommunication windows once the diameters of PbS QDs can be controlled precisely. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America