Process for producing an optical waveguide

US4766954A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US

Inventors

• John D. Bierlein · Wilmington, US
• Lothar H. Brixner · West Chester, US
• August Ferretti · Wilmington, US
• William Yang-Hsing Hsu · Wilmington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 1987
• Grant date: Aug 30, 1988
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/1345
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

There is disclosed a process for producing an optical waveguide comprising contacting at least one optically smooth surface of a single crystal of K.sub.1-x Rb.sub.x TiOMO.sub.4 wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As with a specified molten salt of at least one of Rb, Cs and Tl at a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. for a time sufficient to increase the surface index of refraction at least about 0.00025 with respect to the index of refraction of the starting crystal, and cooling the resulting crystal. The product made thereby and a waveguide device using the same are also disclosed.