A model is proposed to describe the field-assisted molten salt ion exchange of
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in glass. It accounts for the buildup of space-charge zones and for the pseudo-mixed-alkali effect. Simulations in 1D proved to be consistent with experimental results. The 1D model has been expanded to 2D, making it suitable for simulating the fabrication of channel waveguides. Using a first-order approximation, a good agreement between the simulations and the experimental data can be achieved.
Asymmetric optical multimode splitters based on optical waveguides were fabricated in glass substrates using a field-assisted ion exchange process. Accompanying simulations, conducted to study the light propagation, revealed the possibility to realize asymmetric splitters based on waveguides with different width. In the exchange process, broad mask openings in the blocking layer are compared to those consisting of closely spaced parallel lines with various widths. The waveguide profiles of the resulting splitters were recorded and the optical losses and splitting ratios were determined for a wavelength of 850 nm. Additionally data transmission tests were conducted and showed the suitability of the splitters for a bandwidth of 28 GBit/s.
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