Fabrication and characterization of planar and channel waveguides in hybrid sol-gel systems

We report on linear optical properties of Disperse Red 1 (DR1) doped sol-gel planar and channel waveguides. The refractive index and optical propagation losses of the guiding layer were measured between 0.756 mum and 1.64 mum. In the telecommunications window, the attenuation is dominated by the overtones of the O-H bonds vibration bands. We also report on photobleached channel waveguides. Propagation Losses were measured at 1.064 mum as a function of the waveguide width. Attenuation coefficients as low as 1 cm(-1) in 4 to 8 mum wide channel waveguides were demonstrated. A good confinement of the light is observed in a 3 hours bleached sample. The suitability of plasma etching as an alternative technique for fabricating channel waveguides is demonstrated.