Patent ID: 6751391
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method for forming an optical system, said method comprising:providing a substrate; depositing on the substrate a first contoured channel preform of material capable of ion exchange with the substrate; and diffusing ions from the first channel preform into the substrate to form a first waveguide channel at least a portion of which is at least partially buried in the substrate, wherein diffusing ions from the first channel preform into the substrate comprises: providing an ionic liquid; immersing the substrate with the deposited first channel preform in the ionic liquid such that a first portion of the ionic liquid engages the first channel preform and a second portion of the ionic liquid engages the substrate; and applying an electric potential across the first portion and the second portion of the ionic liquid such that ions from the first channel preform diffuse into the substrate.