Fabrication of ion-exchanged optical waveguides from dilute silver nitrate melts

Optical waveguides have been fabricated from silver nitrate melts diluted with sodium nitrate. Several important advantages are gained, including control over the surface refractive index value. On the basis of regular solution theory, the relationship between the surface index and the melt dilution is determined. Modification of the index profile with dilution, as predicted by interdiffusion theory, is discussed and the self-diffusion constant of silver ions in a typical soda-lime glass is measured.