Methods for forming waveguides in optical materials
US6641743B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC30B31/00
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for forming waveguides in an optical material such as lithium niobate comprises the steps of providing an exchange agent including a proton-supplying medium and a catalyst, and exposing a selected portion of the optical material to the exchange agent for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature. Preferably, the catalyst is a metallic cation having a valence of at least +2, and the proton-supplying medium is a weak acid with a pKa of greater than about 4.5 or a lithium-buffered (“starved”) acidic solution. The catalyst accelerates the rate at which protons are exchanged with corresponding ions in the optical material lattice, thereby reducing the time required to produce a waveguide in the exposed portion of the optical material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.