摘要 |
A structure for use in forming an optical component (30) and a method of making such a component (30) is described. The structure comprises a nonwaveguiding body of optical material (34, 36, 38) having a concentration of a photorefractive-sensitive component in the body such that upon irradiation of a part (40) of the body by a beam of actinic radiation (42), the refractive index of the irradiated part is increased. The method of making the optical component (30) comprises providing a non-waveguiding body of optical material (34, 36, 38); providing a concentration of a photorefractive-sensitive component in the body; contacting the non-waveguiding body of optical material with an atmosphere comprising one of hydrogen, deuterium and mixtures thereof; and exposing a part (40) of the non-waveguiding body of optical material to actinic radiation (42) such that the refractive index of the exposed part is increased. Such a structure and method can be used to form symmetrical planar waveguides, optical fiber waveguides and other optical components such as gratings.
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