New developments in integrated optics using the sol-gel process

The sol-gel process is an interesting alternative to make glass integrated optics components. Basically, reasonable performances can be reached with low cost fabrication. The sol-gel process is coupled to an one-step method to imprint channel waveguides as basic parts of optical integrated circuits. The basic one layer structure is enriched with a protective layer and a buffer layer and we show here the advantages of these additions in the quality of the propagation. The fabrication of gratings is also described since they can be also easily imprinted with two methods. Passive devices illustrate the possibility of this technology.