Passive glass waveguides made by ion-exchange technique are potential candidates for integrated optics (IO) applications. The authors review the advantages in the technology as applied to fabrication of useful single-mode structures. Progress in process, fabrication, modeling, and waveguide performance using different monovalent cation systems and glass compositions is described with emphasis on fiber-compatible single-mode structures prepared from molten baths. It is shown how a systematic study allows a correlation between the process parameters and the waveguide characteristics so desirable in assuring reproducible characteristics of the devices. >

Ion-exchanged glass waveguides: a review

Disclosed is an optical transmission fiber having reduced bending and microbending losses that is commercially usable in FTTH or FTTC transmission systems.

Single mode optical fiber

The present invention embraces a single-mode optical fiber that, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, has bending losses of 0.15 dB/turn or less for a radius of curvature of 5 millimeters.

Bend-insensitive single-mode optical fiber

We review the history and current status of ion exchanged glass waveguide technology. The background of ion exchange in glass and key developments in the first years of research are briefly described. An overview of fabrication, characterization and modeling of waveguides is given and the most important waveguide devices and their applica- tions are discussed. Ion exchanged waveguide technology has served as an available platform for studies of general waveguide properties, in- tegrated optics structures and devices, as well as applications. It is also a commercial fabrication technology for both passive and active wave- guide components. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

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Ion-exchanged glass waveguide technology: a review

An optical waveguide comprises a core, an inner cladding laterally surrounding the core, and an outer cladding laterally surrounding the inner cladding, wherein the core, inner cladding, and outer cladding have a depressed well configuration. The waveguide operates in three or more wavelength bands, wherein a first wavelength band is centered at about 1300 nm, and wherein a second wavelength band is centered at about 1625 nm. The waveguide has bend losses that are less than or equal to 1.0 dB/turn when measured on a 5 mm radius bend at 1625 nm and bend losses that are less than or equal to 1.5 dB/turn when measured on a 5 mm radius bend at 1650 nm.

Triple-band bend tolerant optical waveguide

The index change and birefringence resulting from K+-Na+ ion exchange in glass are shown to be mainly due to induced surface stresses. The importance of this fact with regard to the fabrication of optical waveguides is discussed.

Stress-induced index change for K+-Na+ ion exchange in glass

Refractive-index profiles of planar waveguides made by ion-exchange in glass.

Design analysis has been performed on a passive planar multibranch waveguide optical power divider in a z-cut LiNbO3 substrate. Specifically, 5- and 3-branch waveguide structures were investigated with the effective index and field matching methods, taking into account the phase changes in the branches at the branching interface. Conditions for equal power division were examined regarding the appropriate branching angle and the relative index distribution in the branches. Illustrative numerical examples are presented and discussed.

Passive planar multibranch optical power divider: some design considerations

Experimental and theoretical improvements to the propagation-mode near-field technique for refractive-index profiling have been made. The measured near-field profile is deconvoluted with the transfer function of the optical imaging system in order to recover the actual near-field profile. Anew equation is also derived in order to use these data to reconstruct the refractive-index profile of the waveguide under consideration. The improved method, which is valid for all relevant wavelength ranges, is demonstrated in the determination of the refractive-index profiles of two single-mode planar waveguides.

Improved propagation-mode near-field method for refractive-index profiling of optical waveguides.

A passive 3-branch optical power divider by K+-ion exchange in a soda-lime glass substrate has been fabricated and characterised. The feasibility of control of power distribution by index modifications in the branches has been verified. Experimental results for equal power division are presented. They are in good agreement with those of theoretical design calculations.

G.L. Yip

Papers

Stress-induced index change for K+-Na+ ion exchange in glass

Refractive-index profiles of planar waveguides made by ion-exchange in glass.

Passive planar multibranch optical power divider: some design considerations

Improved propagation-mode near-field method for refractive-index profiling of optical waveguides.

Passive 3-branch optical power divider by K+-ion exchange in glass