Project coordinator: Dr. Hab. Phys. Linards Skuja
Leading participant: Dr. Hab. Phys. Anatoly Trukhin
Total cost: 300 000 EUR
Duration (years): 2018-2021
LZP FLPP No. LZP-2018/1-0289
The general goal of the project is to develop a better understanding and to improve the properties of SiO2-related materials for photonics devices. Pure or doped amorphous SiO2 is the present material of choice for optical fiber and planar waveguides, thin films, Bragg gratings or bulk photonics devices designed to operate from near infrared to deep ultraviolet (UV) ranges, to handle high optical power, and to operate in hostile environments (radiation, high temperatures).
The planned activities are: 1) studies of the UV laser and radiation-induced defects in chlorine-containing SiO2 glasses and optical fiber waveguides, 2) Comparative studies of high purity SiO2 in glassy and crystalline forms to identify the optical properties of intrinsic defects in UV and vacuum-UV spectral ranges, 3) synthesis and properties studies of novel SiO2 – based materials.
The planned outcomes of the project are: (1) clarifying of the role of chlorine in the optical attenuation and in the generation of defects by UV- or ionizing radiation-in SiO2 materials, identification of the Cl-related defect species, (2) establishing of the properties of the intrinsic point defects contributing to the optical losses of pure SiO2 in the ultraviolet spectral range, (3) establishing of the optical properties and the influence of intrinsic or carbon-related point defects in novel chlorine-free SiO2 based materials for photonics devices, obtained from silicon-organic compounds.
The project corresponds to the Latvian priority directions in science, direction #1, " Technologies, materials and systems engineering for increased added value products and processes, and cybersecurity". Its elaboration will contribute to improvement of properties of glassy SiO2, used in production of special-purpose optical fiber cables for UV range, laser processing and medicine. It is expected that they will benefit from the gained new knowledge, which will help to improve the transaparency and UV solarization resistance of the fibers. The Latvian industry in general will benefit from training of the students acquiring expertize in the fields of SiO2 physics, chemistry and engineering.