Application of the Refracted Near-Field Technique to Multimode Planar and Channel Waveguides in Glass

Abstract

This paper presents both the theoretical foundation and experimental realization of the refracted near-field (RNF) technique for the direct measurement of optical planar and channel waveguide profiles. The experimental setup is discussed in detail. It includes special modifications compared with the customary RNF apparatus used for optical fiber profiling. Nevertheless, all advantages of the RNF method, as high resolution and accuracy, minimal sample preparation and no computation are conserved. Results are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the technique to multimode planar and channel optical waveguides in glass, obtained by ion-exchange techniques.

Optically and rheologically tailored polymers for applications in integrated optics

“…In contrast to previous work where a resin mixture which is curable at different wavelengths was used to generate a refractive index difference n between core and cladding, the Syntholux mixture yields n = 0.07 which is four to seven times larger than reported elsewhere [33,34]. For comparison, a refractive index profile of the fabricated SWW interconnect which was measured using the refracted near field method and a refractive index profiler [35] is shown in Fig. 7.…”

Hot Embossing of Polymer Optical Waveguides for Sensing Applications

“…The white lines on the left and on the bottom of the picture show the intensity distribution along the vertical and horizontal marker lines, respectively. Figure 6 shows a refractive index measurement of a produced waveguide obtained by using the above refractive index profilometer [21,22]. For this case, the waveguide core consists of SB40.…”

Ion-exchanged glass waveguide technology: a review

“…Refractive index profiles can be measured using a refractive near-field technique. 80 Alternative optical measurement methods based, for example, on interferometry of thin slices of waveguide samples, 55,81 have also been used. Also, the surface refractive index can be obtained from reflectivity measurements, and refractive index as a function of depth is then measured using a beveled surface 29 or by exposing glass at different depths by etching.…”