Low Insertion Loss Channel Waveguides in LiNbO sub 3 Fabricated by Proton Exchange.

The polarization selectivity and immunity to optical damage of waveguides in LiNbO sub 3 fabricated by proton exchange make these waveguides an attractive alternative to titanium diffused waveguides for certain device applications. As with titanium diffused waveguides, however, low fiber-coupled insertion loss is a requirement for many practical devices. We report here on PE waveguides in Z-cut LiNbO sub 3 at the 1.3micron wavelength with a low fiber-coupled insertion loss of 1.3 dB.