Abstract

Metal diffusion in LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ is the most commonly used technique for fabricating waveguides for integrated optics.¹ There has, however, been continuing interest in producing waveguides and modulators in other ferroelectric materials with higher electrooptic coefficients. One particularly attractive candidate is Sr_0.6Ba_0.4Nb₂O₆ (SBN:60),² for which the r₃₃ electrooptic coefficient at room temperature is more than an order of magnitude greater than that for LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃. This paper reports use of vapor diffusion to fabricate planar and channel waveguides in SBN:60. This represents the first use of gaseous diffusion to fabricate waveguides in any ferroelectric material and the first waveguides in any material with such a high electrooptic coefficient. Electrooptic modulation has been demonstrated in channel waveguides, and a radioisotope technique has been used to characterize the sulfur diffusion process.

© 1986 Optical Society of America