Inscription of 3D waveguides in diamond using an ultrafast laser

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the fabrication of 3D waveguides inside diamond using ultrafast laser techniques, enabling complex polarization-supporting structures for advanced photonic applications.

Contribution

It introduces adaptive aberration correction for precise 3D waveguide fabrication in diamond, including polarization-diverse Type III waveguides.

Findings

Successful creation of 3D waveguides in diamond

Development of polarization-supporting Type III waveguides

Enhanced control over waveguide structures using aberration correction

Abstract

Three dimensional waveguides within the bulk of diamond are manufactured using ultrafast laser fabrication. High intensities within the focal volume of the laser cause breakdown of the diamond into a graphitic phase leading to a stress induced refractive index change in neighboring regions. Type II waveguiding is thus enabled between two adjacent graphitic tracks, but supporting just a single polarization state. We show that adaptive aberration correction during the laser processing allows the controlled fabrication of more complex structures beneath the surface of the diamond which can be used for 3D waveguide splitters and Type III waveguides which support both polarizations.