Linear And Nonlinear Optical Properties Of Erbium-Implanted Coherent Array Of Submicron Silica Spheres

A coherent array of silica spheres, which was implanted with erbium ions, showed nonlinear behavior at lambda=0.532 mu m. This was attributed to a large nonlinear refraction effect, which was enhanced by the structure of the opaline matrix. In addition, near infrared photoluminescence measurements showed an overall enhancement as a function of the sphere's size. A large photoluminescence peak was found around lambda=900 nm and attributed to the lensing effect of the opaline matrix. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)00926-8].