Abstract

We have developed waveguides for the mid-IR spectrum using silver halide crystals. Diffused planar waveguides constructed from silver chlorobromide (AgClBr) with different diffusion thicknesses were designed and characterized. The waveguides were based on our changing the refractive index of the guiding layer by a diffusion of Br^- ions into crystalline AgCl substrates. The waveguides were analyzed and investigated with a 10.6-µm CO₂ laser, and the optically measured thicknesses of the waveguides were found to vary between 65 and 600 µm. The propagation losses were in the range of 4–16 dB/cm, and the maximal entrance angle was 62°. The output beam distribution was measured and was in good correlation with a numerical analysis simulation based on a ray-tracing model, by use of the eikonal equation.

© 2002 Optical Society of America

Graded-index mid-infrared planar optical waveguides made from silver halides

B. Dekel and A. Katzir
Opt. Lett. 26(20) 1553-1555 (2001)

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Mid-infrared luminescence properties of Dy-doped silver halide crystals

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