Lithium niobate packaging challenges.

The use of lithium niobate integrated optic devices outside of the research laboratory is predicated on the development of a sound packaging method. We present a discussion of the many issues that face the development of a viable, robust packaging technology. We emphasize the interaction of lithium niobate's physical properties with available packaging materials and technologies. The broad range of properties (i.e. electro- optic, piezo-electric, pyro-electric, photorefractive...) that make lithium niobate an interesting material in many device applications also make it a packaging challenge. The package design, materials and packaging technologies must isolate the device from its environment so that lithium niobate's properties do not adversely affect the device performance.