Proton-exchanged optical waveguides in LiNbO/sub 3/ using octanoic acid

Low-loss proton-exchanged planar waveguides in z-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ were fabricated and characterized optically using octanoic acid as a proton source. The waveguide exhibited a step-index profile with an index change of 0.118 measured at 0.633 mu m. The lowest waveguide propagation loss measured was 1.2 dB/cm, and it was reduced further to 0.4 dB/cm after annealing. The diffusion rate and the activation energy using this acid were found to be lower than those reported using other acids.<
>