Abstract: The material similarity of all-silica waveguides or other devices and optical fibers is utilized to establish an epoxy-free fusion interfacing between optical fibers and integrated-optic devices by using laser welding techniques. This is uniquely applicable to all-silica integrated devices since they have virtually identical material properties to those of optical fibers. The method comprises the steps of machining a locating groove in a silica block, fixing a prepared length of the optical fiber in the locating groove, bringing the block and the device into juxtaposition and aligning the block and the device to provide maximum transmission of a signal from the fiber to the device and laser welding the block and the device together.

Abstract: An integrated optic waveguide coupler having an interaction length throughout which two waveguides lie parallel and in contact with each other, in which the interaction length incorporates at least one straight section and, adjoining the straight section, there is provided at least one additional interaction length having a predetermined curvature. The curvature and the length of the interaction length together minimize wavelength sensitivity.

Abstract: Integrated optical waveguides, for example planar waveguides with stripes of guiding material formed integrally on a substrate, are manufactured by depositing the doped glass guiding material by plasma chemical vapor deposition. Several substrates can be arranged in a suitably shaped apparatus so that deposition can take place on all of them at once.