METHOD OF METALLIZATION OF AN OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE

摘要

A method of applying a metal coating to an optical waveguide includes partially depleting stabilizers in an electroless metallic solution and immersing an optical waveguide in the electroless metallic solution to deposit the metal coating to the optical waveguide. The partially depleting step includes creating an electroless metallic solution having a sodium hypophosphite concentration of about 25 grams per liter. The electroless metallic solution includes a Fidelity solution 4865A, a Fidelity solution 4865B and de-ionized water in a ratio of 1:1:18; and sodium hypophosphite crystals. The optical waveguide is immersed in the electroless metallic solution for a predetermined length of time depending on a desired deposition thickness.