MULTIMODE PLANAR REFRACTOMETER PRODUCED IN A WAVED CHANNEL LIGHTGUIDESTRUCTURE

In the paper, studies of the lightguide planar refractometer made by a multi-step Ag+ - Na+ ion-exchange technique in glass substrate are pr esented. The basic element of the sensor is the channel waveguide, mas ked beyond the measurement area by the suitable dielectric layer. The refractive index changes of the cover in the window area affect the at tenuation in the signal track. The studies concerned the straight chan nel lightguide and waved, in the shape of sine function in the window area. Transmission characteristics were measured and the sensitivity d ependence on the period, amplitude and length of waving were determine d. The results were used in the optimization of the sensor geometry.