Waveguide coupler for potassium and silver ion-exchanged waveguides in glass

Abstract

Ion-exchange techniques have been used extensively to produce optical waveguides in glass substrates. Potassium ion-exchanged waveguides are well suited for fabricating basic components such as Y-branches and directional couplers. They can be made in a one-step process to match nearly perfectly with standard telecom fibers.1 With silver ion exchange, higher index increase is obtained. This is advantageous in small radius bends, in coupling with LDs, and in devices that have gratings or overlayer films on top of the waveguides. In many cases, it would be useful to integrate K- and Ag-waveguides in a single device.