Electric-field-assisted proton-exchanged optical waveguides in lithium niobate

We describe the fabrication of a broad stripe optical wave-guide in z-cut lithium niobate by electric-field-assisted thermal proton exchange in a benzoic acid melt. Electric fields of 5 × 104V/m to 105V/m were laterally applied by means of in-contact gold thin-film electrodes 1 mm apart, producing an asymmetric depth across the width of the stripe. Similar vertical fields, applied across the thickness of the wafer, increased the stripe depth in the region of applied field. Refractive index profiles are given for both cases.