A new Bi-substituted rare-earth iron garnet for a wideband and temperature-stabilized optical isolator

Abstract

A wideband and temperature-stabilized optical isolator for 1.55-μm wavelength was developed using a new Bi-substituted holmium–ytterbium ion garnet (HoYbBiIG) single crystal as a Faraday rotator. The optical isolator features 0.34-μm bandwidth, less 0.6 dB insertion loss and over 37 dB backward loss at a wavelength of (1.55 ± 0.17) μm throughout the temperature range from −10 to 60 °C. The Faraday rotation and optical absorption loss of HoYbBiIG were investigated in the near-infrared wavelength region (λ = 0.9 to 1.7 μm). The specific Faraday rotation of Ho_0.85Yb_1.02Bi_1.13Fe₅O₁₂ is about −767°/cm at λ = 1.55 μm. The Faraday rotation wavelength and temperature characteristics of HoYbBiIG crystals are also discussed. These results indicate that the Bi-substituted holmium–ytterbium iron garnet single crystals realize a high Faraday rotation stability against temperature and wavelength in the near-infrared region.