Structure and optical damage resistance of Zn:Er:LiNbO3 waveguides

A series of Zn:Er:LiNbO3 crystals were grown by Czochralski technique with 0.75 mol% of Er2O3 and with 0, 3.0, 5.5, and 7.0 mol% of ZnO, respectively, and were made into waveguides. The optical damage resistance of the Zn:Er:LiNbO3 waveguides was characterized by measurement of the holographic method. The optical damage resistance of Zn (7.0 mol%):Er:LiNbO3 is much higher than that of other Zn:Er:LiNbO3. The ultraviolet–visible (UV) absorption spectra and the infrared (IR) transmission spectra of Zn:Er:LiNbO3 crystals were measured and investigated. The structure defects were discussed in this paper to explain the improve of the optical damage resistance in the Zn:Er:LiNbO3 crystals.