Planar silica-glass optical waveguides with thermally induced lateral mode confinement

A new type of planar silica-glass optical waveguide is proposed utilizing the thermo-optic effect of glass. The vertical mode-field confinement is defined by the core slab sandwiched between the upper and lower claddings while the lateral confinement is achieved due to localized increase of refractive index induced by the thin-film heater placed on the upper cladding. An analytical expression of the steady-state temperature distribution across the waveguide cross-section is derived and the induced mode-field characteristics are analyzed by solving the vector-wave equation using the mode-matching method. Mode propagation losses due to the metallic heater and the leakage into the silicon substrate are both calculated. The bending loss of this thermally induced waveguide is also analyzed for future device implementation using this waveguide.