Low-loss single-mode integrated waveguides in soda-lime glass

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a femtosecond laser writing process to create low-loss, single-mode optical waveguides in soda-lime glass, achieving a propagation loss of 0.86 dB/cm at 800 nm.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fabrication method combining slit beam-shaping and multiscan techniques for well-defined waveguides in soda-lime glass.

Findings

Waveguides exhibit 0.86 dB/cm propagation loss at 800 nm

The fabrication process produces symmetric cross-section profiles

Bending losses are characterized and modeled

Abstract

Low-loss single-mode optical waveguide fabrication process in extra-white soda-lime glass is demonstrated. Waveguiding structures are formed in bulk substrates employing femtosecond laser writing technology. The combination of a slit beam-shaping method and a multiscan fabrication process enables printing of waveguides with a well-defined symmetric cross-section profile. Fabricated waveguides exhibit 0.86 dB/cm propagation loss for 800~nm wavelength. Bending loss in the waveguides are addressed experimentally and compared with a model for radiation loss.