Fabrication and characterization of optical waveguides in KTiOPO4

Abstract

Planar and channel optical waveguides have been fabricated in KTiOPO4 (KTP) using ion exchange processes. The exchange kinetics are diffusion limited and depend strongly on composition and surface orientation. Increases in surface refractive index of up to 0.23 and waveguide thicknesses of up to 15 μm have been observed. A simple waveguide modulator has been fabricated which shows electro-optic r coefficients in the waveguide region to be similar to bulk KTP.