Abstract

Integrated-optical components in glass fabricated by K⁺-Na⁺ ion exchange have become promising candidates for passive single-mode waveguide devices. Recently there has been considerable interest inburied waveguides for improving fiber-waveguide coupling.¹ We have reported a new procedure to fabricate shallow buried guides using purely thermal K⁺ backdiffusion in soda-lime glass.² Here we present the diffusion properties and correlate them to the propagation characteristics by theoretical modeling and experimentation.

© 1990 Optical Society of America