Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S09999/01
Title:	Single-step UV direct-writing of channel waveguides in lithium niobate and lithium tantalate single crystals
Principal Investigator:	Eason, Professor RW
Other Investigators:	Smith, Professor PGR
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Dr S Mailis
Project Partners:
Department:	Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed)
Organisation:	University of Southampton
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2003	Ends:	30 September 2004	Value (£):	226,846
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Recent proof-of-principle demonstrations have shown that channel waveguides can be directly written into single crystal LiNb03, using c.w. UV (244nm) laser exposures. The refractive index changes observed appear to be permanent, and are resisitant to erasure at elevated temperatures (>2000) for several hours. The proposed research programme will address issues of fabrication, fundamental mechanisms and immediate applications of this technology, as well as giving consideration to more advanced structures and direct writing of waveguides into doped and non-congruent (stoichiometric) materials. This method of direct UV writing can be used as a much simpler and cost-effective alternative to the existing methods of ion in-diffussion and proton exchange for the fabrication of lithium niobate waveguides. The proposed research will focus on the following areas 1) fabrication and characterization of single mode-low loss waveguides in the visible and 1.5 um telecom band of wavelengths, ii) Identification of the physical origin of the effect to allow extension and improvement of the writing process.iii) Assessment of possible reduction of nonlinear or elecro-optic effects through the writing process iv) fabrication of advanced structures to include optical circuits, beam splitters, optical couplers and switches.v) Fabrication of active waveguide devices (lasers/amplifiers) in doped lithium niobate/tantalate crystals
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.soton.ac.uk