Title :
Electro-optic effect in proton exchanged LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 waveguides
Author :
Savatinova, I. ; Tonchev, S. ; Todorov, R. ; Armenise, Mario N. ; Passaro, V.M.N. ; Ziling, C.C.
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Solid State Phys., Bulgarian Acad. of Sci., Sofia, Bulgaria
fDate :
3/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Electro-optic properties of proton-exchanged (PE) waveguide layers in LiTaO3 and LiNbO3 are studied and related to their optical characteristics. The proton-exchange process induces a degradation of the electro-optic activity in both types of waveguides, PE LiNbO3 and PE LiTaO3. The measured electro-optic effect is close to the detection sensitivity even when the exchange regime is performed at low temperatures for short periods of time. The PE samples have been annealed (APE waveguides) and the changes of their r33 electro-optic coefficient has been followed at successively higher temperatures and periods of time. Subjected to annealing at temperatures between 265-420°C, the LiTaO3 layers show a partially recovered r33 coefficient, the recovering being different for quick and slow cooling of the samples. In thin APE LiNbO3 waveguiding layers a restoration of r33 up to 75% of the bulk value is observed due to the annealing at temperatures between 200-340°C
Keywords :
annealing; electro-optical effects; ion exchange; lithium compounds; optical fabrication; optical planar waveguides; 200 to 340 degC; 265 to 420 degC; APE waveguides; LiNbO3; LiTaO3; annealing; detection sensitivity; electro-optic activity degradation; electro-optic coefficient; electro-optic properties; exchange regime; low temperatures; optical characteristics; proton exchanged LiNbO3 waveguides; proton exchanged LiTaO3 waveguides; slow cooling; waveguide layers; Annealing; Cooling; Degradation; Optical sensors; Optical waveguides; Performance evaluation; Protons; Temperature sensors; Time measurement; Waveguide transitions;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
