Second-harmonic generation in potassium niobate waveguides

We report on our progress in the formation of waveguides in potassium nioba te (KNbO3) using techniques such as ion implantation and ion sputtering. Di fferent methods for the structuring of channel waveguides are presented, an d their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in terms of their optica l and nonlinear optical properties, The excellent power-handling capability of KNbO3 waveguides is compared to other waveguide materials, and we highl ight the influence of postimplantation annealing and repoling on the wavegu ide attenuation and the nonlinear optical coefficient. We also review recen t results on second-harmonic generation in KNbO3 waveguides focusing on blu e light generation.