Nonlinear quantum dot composite material produced by MeV silver ion implantation into lithium niobate

Summary form only given. Solids containing metal quantum dots are of great interest due to their large third-order optical susceptibility and short (of the order of picosecond) nonlinear optical response time. Ion implantation has been shown to produce a high density of metal quantum dots in various materials. The high-precipitate volume fraction and small size of quantum dots lead to values for the third-order susceptibility much greater than those for metal doped solids. Lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) has proved to be a good material for optical waveguides produced by Ag ion implantation. Light confinement in these waveguides is produced by an optical isolation barrier with a low refractive index in nuclear stopping region of the ions. Implantation of LiNbO/sub 3/ with Ag MeV metal ions can therefore result in nonlinear optical waveguide structures with great potential in a variety of device applications.