Liquid phase epitaxy: A versatile technique for the development of miniature optical components in single crystal dielectric media

In this paper we will review the possibilities of liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) as a versatile technique for the development of new miniature optical components in single crystal dielectric media. These LPE layers can be used in active waveguide configuration as laser or amplifier sources or in transverse configuration as saturable absorber deposited on an active layer. So in the first part of this paper, we will present the LPE process by describing the growth conditions of rare earths doped YAG layers and by discussing the properties obtained in laser planar waveguides. In a second part, we will discuss some other applications, as amplifiers or saturable absorbers, using LPE layers. In the third and last part, we will present the interest of LPE for other materials, used as laser waveguides.