Bulk channel-type reconfigurable light-induced waveguides recorded by crossed lateral illumination

Abstract

Photoinduced channel waveguides are created in the bulk of biased electro-optic Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 crystals by a proper combination of crossed lateral illumination waves. The measured nearly-circular steady-state guided wave profiles agree well with theoretically expected mode profiles. The buried waveguides obtained by this technique can be easily tailored and are dynamically reconfigurable. The dynamics of formation is found to be anisotropic, with a faster effect for the confinement of the guided wave in the direction parallel to the applied electric field. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.