Optical Nonlinear Prism Coupling to Semiconductor - Glass and Organic Mba-Np Waveguides.

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. Requires signed TDF. A review of the field of integrated optics is presented with particular emphasis on all-optical devices and suitable materials. The theory of prism coupling into waveguides characterised by an intensity-dependent refractive index is discussed. The construction of a nitrogen laser pumped dye laser and the necessary experimental and analytical equipment for the purpose of prism coupling into planar waveguides is described. Experimental Measurements performed on planar ion-exchange waveguides formed in specially fabricated semiconductor-doped-glass substrates are presented. Two samples were studied and values of n_{ rm 2eff}~ 10^ {-15} - 10^ {-14} m^2/W were observed near the band-gap. One sample showed strong saturation of the absorbitive and refractive nonlinearity. Transmission electron microscope measurements of both samples are described. Experimental measurements of planar waveguides fabricated out of polycarbonate with 40% w/w of the organic material MBA-NP are reported. Nonlinearities consistent with n_2 ~eq 2 x 10^{-16} m ^2/W were observed at 580 nm in addition to evidence of two-photon absorption. Optical damage was found to occur at intensities ~ 10^{11} W/m^2 .