Property analysis of planar optical waveguide in NYAB formed by He + ion implantation

The authors report the first ion implanted planar optical waveguide in the nonlinear and multifunctional crystal Nd_xY _1-xAl₃(BO₃)₄ (NYAB). The refractive index profiles are characterised for both n_n and n _e. The index changes show that a typical barrier waveguide is formed in the implanted NYAB crystal and comparisons of the refractive index profiles before and after annealing are given. The damage in the crystal surface that was caused by the implantation of MeV He ions was investigated by using an RBS/channelling technique and there was some decrease in the damage of the surface of the crystal after annealing. The loss of the waveguide was measured before and after annealing