Diode laser butt coupling to K/sup +/ diffused waveguides in glass

Butt coupling of diode lasers to K/sup +/ diffused waveguides in glass has been done successfully, with coupling efficiencies of 30%. The influence of the astigmatism of the diode lasers on the coupling has been studied theoretically and the importance of some exchange parameters has been studied experimentally. The use of diode lasers with larger near fields is likely to increase the coupling efficiency. Butt coupling is particularly useful for sensors, thus avoiding laser-fiber-waveguide coupling.<
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