THORIUM PHOSPHATE XEROGEL THIN-FILM LIGHT GUIDE

Thorium phosphate xerogel thin films for light waveguides have been fa bricated using spin-coating and modified dip-coating processes from co ncentrated thorium phosphate solution. Optical and waveguide propertie s were characterized. The attenuation coefficient for light propagatin g in the films could reach 1 dB/cm. Waveguide Raman spectroscopy and t ransmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements were carried out. R esults indicate that the film has a more compact structure than bulk s ample. From the low frequency Raman scattering data and the TEM result s, it was deduced that the thorium phosphate xerogel film has a chain- like structure.