Metal-diffused optical waveguides in LiNbO3

Abstract

Deposited films of transition metals (Ti, V, and Ni) have been diffused into LiNbO3 crystals to form low-loss TE and TM mode optical waveguides. Using Ti, single-mode low-loss waveguides which confine the guided light to within ∼1 μm of the surface have been constructed. The choice of diffusion parameters allows independent control of important waveguide parameters.