FLUORIDE GLASS PLANAR OPTICAL WAVE-GUIDES BY ANIONIC-EXCHANGE

The feasibility of graded-index waveguiding structures by anion-exchan ge on glass substrates has been shown for the first time to our knowle dge. A new technology has been developed to produce integrated optical components on fluoride glass substrates by anionic exchange from eith er water or heavy water vapor-containing gas flows.D2O-made waveguides operating from UV up to 1.8 mu m, and from 2.55 to 3.6 mu m, have bee n proved to be easily achievable. The refractive index profile of one planar waveguide has been determined, revealing 10 guided modes at 0.6 33 mu m, which is widely better than the best results previously obtai ned by cation-exchange.