FABRICATION OF DISTRIBUTED FEEDBACK GRATING FROM HYBRID POLYMER WHICH EXHIBITS PHOTO-PUMPED LASING ACTION

Abstract

We have studied the preparation of hybrid organic–inorganic polymers and the fabrication of distributed feedback grating using those hybrid polymers. The hybrid polymer precursors were prepared from ester-modified silicon alkoxide by using sol–gel technique. The gel precursor can be then polymerized into a solid film by photo-polymerization. The gratings were fabricated by interference laser technique by employing Lloyd's mirror configuration. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) image shows the formation of corrugated grating structure. Although the grating depth is relatively shallow compared to the thickness of the layer, the photo-pumped lasing action has been observed in those structures. In a film without grating structure, only Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) was observed.