Containerless Route to Photonic Crystal-in-Glass Composites With High Crystal Loading via  Aerodynamic Levitation

Khaldoon Nasser; Natalia Vakula; Pierre-Loup Savary; Matiss Bardins; Michael Pitcher; Mathieu Allix; Laeticia Petit

doi:10.52825/glass-europe.v4i.3490

Authors

Khaldoon Nasser Tampere University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-7086
Natalia Vakula Tampere University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8874-5968
Pierre-Loup Savary Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4294-8518
Matiss Bardins Tampere University https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1964-8942
Michael Pitcher Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2044-6774
Mathieu Allix Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9317-1316
Laeticia Petit Tampere University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1673-8996

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52825/glass-europe.v4i.3490

Keywords:

RE-Doped Crystals, Glass, Composite, Aerodynamic Levitation

Abstract

Miniaturization of photonic devices remains challenging, requiring fabrication methods that ensure high material purity and precise control over composition. Here, we present the containerless aerodynamic levitation (ADL) as a promising route for preparing composite materials composed of glasses with embedded crystals. Silica- and gallate-based composites were prepared containing up to 10 and 40 wt.% of CaWO₄:Yb³+, Yb₂Si₂O₇, LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺, and YAG:Ce³⁺ crystals, respectively. From the spectroscopic, structural properties, XRD patterns, and SEM/EDS analyses of the composites, the embedded crystals were found to interact with the host glass during ADL despite being a fast process, leading to partial to nearly complete decomposition of the crystals depending on their composition and glass host. CaWO₄:Yb³⁺-based silica and gallate composites were found to be the most stable composites prepared via ADL. These results demonstrate that ADL can be considered as a viable route for adding crystals in glass and developing advanced photonic materials.

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Containerless Route to Photonic Crystal-in-Glass Composites With High Crystal Loading via Aerodynamic Levitation

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