Novel approach for planar Bragg grating characterization using prism coupling

In this paper, we demonstrate that a prism coupling characterization technique can lead to simpler Waveguide Bragg Grating (WBG) designs and easier fabrication process by avoiding channel transmission. The experimental results have shown that the incident laser beam´s collimation was maintained after coupling to a planar waveguide. A characterization set-up using two prisms was designed for measuring transmission characteristics of integrated structures and eventually planar waveguides in the visible or in the IR range. Since a reasonable overall optical efficiency of 10% has been demonstrated for this set-up, the prism approach can be eventually utilized in Bragg Grating structures characterization.