Fabrication of optical waveguides by solid-state diffusion of Ag and Cu in barium crown and flint glasses

Waveguides were fabricated by thermal diffusion of Ag and Cu in crown, barium crown, and barium flint glasses. The main properties of these waveguides were studied. It was found that waveguides were formed as a result of thermal diffusion of silver only in the presence of oxygen or as a result of thermal diffusion of copper but only in vacuum. The rate of diffusion of silver was independent of the composition of the glasses and was governed only by their viscosity at the diffusion temperature. The mechanisms of the diffusion of Ag and Cu were analyzed.