Full modeling of field-assisted ion exchange for graded index buried channel optical waveguides

Abstract

The numerical modeling of field-assisted ion exchange in glass through a finite aperture is carried out. The effects of unequal ion mobilities and thermal diffusion are included we believe for the first time in the 2-D case. This allows for the modeling of optical channel waveguides with graded index profiles. It is demonstrated that annealing of backdiffused channel guides is far superior to backdiffusion alone in improving their circular symmetry for better coupling to optical fibers.

Formation of nanoclusters through silver reduction in glasses: The model

“…(3)-(5) are assumed to be independent on the concentrations. The internal electric field, E, can be found [11] from the condition of glass electroneutrality, which requires conserving of the total concentration of ions in the glass…”

Is it possible to use ion exchange in glasses for producing effective diffraction gratings?

“…(3) with conditions (6) can be solved numerically with the use of finite-difference technique [11]. Similar task was solved for the description of channel optical waveguides formed by electrically stimulated ion exchange [12]. If Dn $ C, in the present case the solution of (3) describes spatial distribution of the variation of refractive index Dn(x, y).…”

Modeling of ion-exchanged glass waveguide structures

“…By expanding the continuity equation for ionic flux, the time evolution of silver ion concentration is derived in [6]:…”

“…Recent years have seen tremendous advances in modeling of the ion exchange process [5][6][7]. For the most part, the focus has been on simple, solitary waveguide structures that possess a well-defined symmetry axis.…”