Ceramics-Silikáty 47 (4) 169-174 (2003)

Li⁺ FOR Na⁺ ION EXCHANGE IN Na₂O - RICH GLASS: AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR FABRICATING LOW-LOSS OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES

J. Schröfel, J. Špirková, Z. Burian, V. Drahoš

The aim of this work is to develop and to test material and technological solution for the preparation of planar and channel optical waveguides in substrates made of special glasses using the Li⁺ « Na⁺ ion exchange. This method should ensure wide parameter variability and low losses to these waveguides. We paid special attention to relations between the technological parameters of the preparation process and final waveguide properties.

Keywords: Integrated optics, Planar optical waveguides, Li⁺-Na⁺ ion exchange, Waveguide preparation optimization