Formation of optical waveguides in fused quartz by proton irradiation

Waveguide layers were formed in fused quartz by irradiation with 6.5 MeV protons. The possibility of excitation of both TE and TM waves was demonstrated. An investigation was made of the waveguide layers in polarized light and by the phase contrast method. The measured values of the thickness and depth of these layers were in good agreement with calculations. Heating to 360°C reduced the losses because of the annealing of color centers.