The index of refraction of most glasses can be permanently changed by exposure to femtosecond laser pulses. This effect can be quite strong, allowing for the fabrication of various two-dimensional or three-dimensional light guiding structures. Passive optical waveguides, splitters, couplers, and long period gratings, have been manufactured using this femtosecond direct-write technique. Active waveguides have also been produced with this method.

We describe recent work at Translume in femtosecond direct write to produce waveguide-based devices characterized by low insertion loss and low birefringence. Performance data, including optical characteristic and environmental test reliability, is presented.

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