Patent ID: 6381392
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: C03C,G02B,H01S

Abstract:
An optical device comprising a glass substrate doped with a laser species and having one or more waveguides defined by channels in the substrate having a distinct refractive index from the substrate wherein at least one waveguide is provided by subjecting a channel of the substrate to ion-exchange by contact with an ion-exchange solvent and varying its refractive index, wherein: (a) the ion-exchange solvent is subjected to dehydration before, during or both before and during the ion-exchange, (b) the ion-exchange is conducted under an environment excluding some or all of the atmospheric air or oxygen or (c) the ion-exchange solvent is subjected to dehydration before, during or both before and during the ion-exchange and the ion-exchange is conducted under an environment excluding some or all of the atmospheric air or oxygen.