Low Loss Optical Waveguides Fabricated by Solid State Electro-thermal Diffusion of Metals Into Glass

Abstract

Numerous references have reported the formation of optical guiding layers in glass by ion exchange from molten salts of high electronic polarizability ions.(1-3) This talk will describe the fabrication of diffused optical waveguides in glass by an easily controllable dry process; i.e., from an evaporated metallic layer. In addition, it will be shown that the application of an electric field during the diffusion process increases the solubility of the metal and makes possible single mode guides of small dimensions, as well as highly multimode thicker guides. Finally, with this technique it is possible to bury the guide below the surface, thus reducing the loss due to surface scatter.</jats:p