Low loss bends in K/sup +/ ion-exchanged waveguides

Single-mode channel waveguides are made by K/sup +/ ion-exchange in soda-lime glass microscope slides and B1664 glass. Bend losses are studied experimentally and reduced with an optimisation of the exchange temperature and the exchange time. The measured bend losses are compared to simulations. The smallest radius giving low losses is reduced from 30 mm to 10 mm using microscope slides instead of B1664 glass (/spl lambda/=830 nm).<
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