A Study of Optical Waveguides

A planar optical waveguide has been produced by immersion a microscope slide (sodium rich) in molten KN03. The resulting K+ profile is due to an ion-exchange with Na+. The higher atomic number of K+ increases the index of refraction at the surface and therefore allows for the propagation of light by alternate total internal reflections. Methods for observing the K+ profile and measuring the refractive index are discussed, as well as the difficulties involved/ Also, suggestions for future experiments and characterizing techniques are given