Metal-diffused optical waveguides in LiNbO3

Abstract
Deposited films of transition metals (Ti, V, and Ni) have been diffused into LiNbO3 crystals to form low‐loss TE and TM mode optical waveguides. Using Ti, single‐mode low‐loss waveguides which confine the guided light to within ∼1 μm of the surface have been constructed. The choice of diffusion parameters allows independent control of important waveguide parameters.