Low-loss channel waveguides and Y-splitter formed by ion-exchange in silica-on-silicon.

Low-loss ion-exchanged sol-gel channel waveguides on silicon substrate were fabricated. Ion-exchangeable aluminosilicate glass film was fabricated by sol-gel technique. Ag(+)-Li(+) thermal ion-exchange was used to achieve single mode channel waveguide. Propagation loss of 0.50 dB/cm and coupling loss of 0.76 dB/facet were measured by cutback method. A Y-branch power splitter was also fabricated. The results demonstrate that ion-exchange technique can be applied to prepare low-loss channel waveguides in thin film structures.