In this article, we present a method to pattern glass substrates with sol-g
el derived thin films. This method is based on the aerosol deposition of so
l-gel precursor solutions using an inexpensive, commercially available airb
rush. The technique was demonstrated using Cy5-doped sol-gel thin films for
the creation of wavelength conversion devices. The films deposited were me
chanically and chemically rigid, and patterns could be achieved with a reso
lution limit of approximately 250 mu m Constructing channel waveguides was
also attempted using both zirconium- and titanium-based sol-gel thin films.
Deposited thin films of these materials showed graininess that Limited the
ability to couple Light into the films and increased the observed scatter.
However, light was successfully coupled into the titanium-based sol-gel fi
lm using small lens-like structures created on the glass surface.