This paper describes a way to develop magneto-optical waveguides via sol-gel process. They are made of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles embedded in a silica/zirconia matrix. Thin films are coated on glass substrate using the dip-coating technique. Annealing and UV treatment are applied to finalize sample preparation. Therefore, planar waveguides combining magneto-optical properties with a low refractive index (≈1,5) are obtained. $M$ -lines and free space ellipsometry measurements show a specific Faraday rotation of 250°/cm and a modal birefringence of $1\times {10}^{-4}$ at 820 nm. Thus, the mode conversion efficiency can reach a maximum value around 56%.

A new approach is presented to produce amorphous porous silicon coatings (a-pSi) with closed porosity by magnetron sputtering of a silicon target. It is shown how the use of He as the process gas at moderated power (50-150 W RF) promotes the formation of closed nanometric pores during the growth of the silicon films. The use of oblique-angle deposition demonstrates the possibility of aligning and orientating the pores in one direction. The control of the deposition power allows the control of the pore size distribution. The films have been characterized by a variety of techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, Rutherford back scattering and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, showing the incorporation of He into the films (most probably inside the closed pores) and limited surface oxidation of the silicon coating. The ellipsometry measurements show a significant decrease in the refractive index of porous coatings (n(500 nm) = 3.75) in comparison to dense coatings (n(500 nm) = 4.75). The capability of the method to prepare coatings with a tailored refractive index is therefore demonstrated. The versatility of the methodology is shown in this paper by preparing intrinsic or doped silicon and also depositing (under DC or RF discharge) a-pSi films on a variety of substrates, including flexible materials, with good chemical and mechanical stability. The fabrication of multilayers of silicon films of controlled refractive index in a simple (one-target chamber) deposition methodology is also presented.

This paper describes the possibility to achieve a TE-TM mode conversion in a magneto-optical hybrid waveguide operating at λ = 1550 nm. This hybrid device is made by coating a SiO2/ZrO2 layer doped with magnetic nanoparticles on an ion-exchanged glass waveguide. Soft annealing (90 °C) and UV treatment, both compatible with the ion exchange process, have been implemented to finalize the magneto-optical film. Optical characterizations that have been carried out demonstrated the efficiency of these hybrid structures in terms of lateral confinement and mode conversion. Indeed, TE to TM mode conversion has been observed when a longitudinal magnetic field is applied to the device. The amount of this conversion is discussed taking into account the distribution of light between the layer and the guide, and the modal birefringence of the structure.

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The composition, the structure and the optical properties of mesostructured hybrid silica films elaborated by sol-gel routine are studied versus the temperature of the post treatment by comparing ellipsometric measurements, atomic force microscopy and electronic microscopy characterizations, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. This paper shows that the refractive index variation is a combination between the structure contraction, the solvent evaporation, the silica wall condensation and the pyrolysis of the copolymer. We also investigate the optical properties of thermally grown silver nanoparticles in the mesotructured films and we demonstrate that these properties depend on the optical properties of the host matrix and on the silver concentration profile in the film.