Investigation On Properties And Fabrication Of Cu～+-Na～+ Ion-exchange Glass Waveguides

We fabricated glass planar optical waveguides by using Cu+-Na+ ion-exchange technology on soda-lime and BK7 glass substrates, analyzed the ion-exchange process and the profiles of refractive index distribution. The results which we obtained are given below:1. Planar optical waveguides were fabricated by Cu+-Na+ ion-exchange on soda-lime glass substrate at T=580℃. The effective refractive index was measured by prism-coupling technique at the wavelength of 632.8nm. Refractive index profile was determined by Inverse-WKB method. Results are compared with mathematical solutions, the index profile best fit into Gauss function. Therefore, we obtained the diffused coefficient of Cu+-Na+ ion-exchange at580℃, is that De=2.223 × 10-15 m2/s. The surface refractive index is ns=1.5315,the diffused depth is d=8.1673.2. Both soda-lime glass and BK7 ion-exchanged glasses were determined by EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) measurements. Cu+ ion was found to mainly govern the exchange process through compared the normal Cu+ EPR spectra.3. For the first time, single-step buried waveguides were fabricated by Cu+-Na+ ion-exchange on BK7 glass substrate at T=570℃. The effective refractive index was measured by prism-coupling technique at the wavelength of 632.8nm. Refractive index profile was determined by Inverse-WKB method. Results are compared with mathematical solutions, the index profile best fit into the"improved" Gauss function. Therefore, we obtained the diffused coefficient of Cu+-Na+ ion-exchange at 570℃, is that De=1.2133 × 10-14 m2/s. The surfacerefractive index is H, =1.5158, the diffused depth is d=3.8120. The BK7ion-exchanged glass samples were determined by EMS(Electron Microscope Scan) and SIMS(Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy) measurements, these spectrum attested to the truth of buried waveguides about the BK7 glass waveguides.