Fabrication of optical waveguides by indiffusion of metals
US4284663A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1979 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49885
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
There is disclosed a method of fabricating an optical waveguiding surface layer in an optically transparent crystalline substrate, such as lithium niobate, by selectively indiffusing metal ions, such as titanium, into the crystal to effect an increase in the index of refraction of a surface portion thereof. The indiffused metal ions serve to raise both the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of the substrate by amounts which are of the order of one percent at the diffusion surface and which gradually decrease by one-half at depths of the order of one micrometer below the surface. By properly adjusting the relevant diffusion parameters in the method, the important surface waveguide characteristics can be independently controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.