The realization of arrays of 15 distributed feedback lasers integrated on an Er-Yb-doped phosphate glass substrate is reported. A submicronic corrugated grating has been etched on a comb of Ag/sup +/-Na/sup +/ ion exchanged waveguides with varying diffusion aperture width. Robust single frequency emission spectrum are shown, closely gauged on the 25- and 100-GHz International Telecommunications Union grids around 1.535 /spl mu/m with a pump-power threshold of 14 mW and a slope efficiency of 5.7%.

Despite the apparent benefits of bifacial modules, their application still suffers from a lack of visibility on the performance gain that they can actually provide. In this work, we consider the specific application of vertically oriented bifacial modules, notably for facade integration. We have developed a methodology to evaluate the annual electrical performance of bifacial modules based on three tools. First, a double illumination characterization setup is used in a solar simulator for comparing module architectures. Then, a reduced scale outdoor test bench allows us to evaluate bifacial module performance in a variety of configurations. Finally, a ray‐tracing model validated with short‐term outdoor data leads to the determination of the annual performance gain. This methodology allowed us to find optimal performance according to the most important parameters of application and module. Specifically, a module architecture using half‐cut cells, a parallel cell interconnection, and textured glasses have been analyzed with respect to their influence on the resistive losses which increase in dual side illumination as well as to their influence on the effect of non‐ uniform and diffuse irradiance on the backside of the module. This work enabled us to give directions for innovative full‐size module architectures.

The feasibility of chalcogenide rib waveguides working at $\lambda =10.6\mu \mathrm{m}$ has been demonstrated. The waveguides comprised a several micron thick ${\mathrm{Te}}_2{\mathrm{As}}_3{\mathrm{Se}}_5$ film deposited by thermal evaporation on a polished ${\mathrm{As}}_2{\mathrm{S}}_3$ glass substrate and further etched by physical etching in Ar or $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{F}}_4∕{\mathrm{O}}_2$ atmosphere. Output images at $10.6\mu \mathrm{m}$ and some propagation losses roughly estimated at $10\mathrm{dB}∕\mathrm{cm}$ proved that the obtained structures behaved as channel waveguides with a good lateral confinement of the light. The work opens the doors to the realization of components able to work in the mid- and thermal infrared up to $20\mu \mathrm{m}$ and even more.

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.