Thin film optimization design of organic–inorganic hybrids for waveguide high‐rejection optical filters

Abstract

AbstractWe report the fabrication of transparent, low surface roughness (<0.1 nm), and low‐loss (1.5 ± 0.2 dB cm–1, 532 nm) thin films of organic–inorganic hybrids with controlled refractive index values stable under aging. High‐rejection optical filters based on first‐order Bragg gratings inscribed in channel waveguides were fabricated using UV‐laser writing. Their high‐rejection figure of merit (∼24 dB) is the best value found until now for organic–inorganic hybrids reinforcing the potential of sol–gel technology in the integration of optoelectronic components based on hybrid materials, namely in the fabrication of cost‐effective integrated optics devices. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)