Performance and limits of nonlinear optical waveguide couplers on the basis of CdS/sub 1-x/Se/sub x/-doped glasses

In this work methodical and experimental investigations have been carried out in order to realize optical nonlinear waveguide couplers. On the basis of our experiences in the field of ion exchange in glass as substrate material semiconductor doped glasses have been used. Doped with CdS/sub 1-x/Se/sub x/ these glasses seem to have sufficiently high nonlinear coefficients. Ion exchange has been carried out by substitution of K- by Cs- ions and for waveguide patterning aluminium has been used as mask material. The produced stripe and bent waveguide couplers show qualitatively the expected optical nonlinear behavior in agreement with results obtained by solving the coupling equations. Possibilities in order to optimize this structures with respect to the nonlinear performance are discussed briefly.< >