Channel waveguide fabrication by ion exchange in a new photosensitive glass

Photosensitive glasses are very attractive because they permit the fabrication of gratings by UV exposition and gratings are key elements in many active and passive components used for communication and sensing applications. At present, most of these devices (particularly the passive ones) are fiber-based, but there is an evident interest in the integration of gratings with complex waveguide structures on a glass substrate to increase compactness and mechanical stability. With this aim, a new photosensitive glass has been developed. Furthermore the glass composition has been chosen so that it is possible to make waveguides with the inexpensive ion exchange technique. Preliminary results on the fabrication and characterization of channel waveguides in this new glass are given.