Three-dimensional structuring of glass by ultrashort laser pulses

Abstract

Using tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses waveguides can be fabricated inside various glasses. This technique has the potential to generate not only planar but three-dimensional photonic devices. In this paper we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first three-dimensional integrated optical device, a 1×3 splitter. The optical properties of this device will be discussed.