Ion-Exchanged Glass Waveguides with Improved Coupling to Semiconductor Lasers,
Abstract
Ion exchanged glass waveguide components can perform many functions needed in optical communications, but will find a use in communications networks only if insertion losses are low enough. Exchanged guides have been made with low optical propagation loss, and channel guides with excellent coupling to optical fiber have been made. In some cases, however, we require direct coupling to semiconductor lasers, which have much smaller mode size than fibers. A small mode size also serves to minimize losses in waveguide bends. We show here that exchanged guides with a large enough Delta n and small enough mode size can have low laser-to-guide coupling loss. The usual single-step exchange is of limited use: guides with large Delta n can be made, but sideways diffusion creates guides which are considerably wider than they are deep. Using an alternative two-step process we are able to improve the mode shape and obtain better coupling to lasers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADP008074
Entities
People
- Janet L. Jackel
- Shiqing Hu