We describe the preparation and characterization of zirconia based pla
nar waveguides. The sol-gel technique allowing the preparation of glas
s films at room temperature was applied. Zirconium propoxide and organ
ically modified silicates (ORMOSIL's) were used as precursors. Acetic
acid was used as a chelating agent to stabilize the zirconia precursor
. Films were prepared by dip coating on the glass substrate. Multimode
light guiding was demonstrated in the films. The properties of films:
refraction index, thickness and transparency were studied. The refrac
tive index of 1.69 allows trapping of the light allowing its guidance.
In order to produce active waveguides, films were doped by laser dyes
; Rhodamine B, LFR 300 (red perylimide dye), Pyrromethene 567 and LDS
730. The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of dopants were measured. The
possibility of the use of the active waveguides far optical and laser
applications was shown. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.