TERNARY II-VI COMPOUNDS FOR OPTICAL WAVE-GUIDES

We investigate II-VI optical waveguides consisting of ternary ZnSxSe1- x and Zn1-xMgxSe compounds. The refractive indices are determined expe rimentally as a function of their composition. A linear interpolation was found to be a good approximation in the case of ZnSxSe1-x. An empi rical relation for Zn1-xMgxSe compounds was derived, giving the index of refraction from the band edge to the near infrared for magnesium co ntents up to 40%. Waveguide modelling is used to optimize waveguides a ccording to the requirements of applications or epitaxial growth. Fiel d distributions and propagation constants of multilayered guiding stru ctures and losses caused by substrate leakage are calculated. Attenuat ion coefficients of 1-2 cm(-1) are measured in waveguides containing t ernary II-VI compounds. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.