Two straightforward methods for the measurement of optical losses in planar waveguides

Two new straightforward methods for the evaluation of optical losses in planar waveguides are proposed and discussed. The first method exploits a single nonsliding isosceles prism and it allows the attenuation to be determined through the measurement of the power exiting the waveguide and the evaluation of the coupled power. It requires a very simple operation procedure, it allows a mode-selective determination of losses, and it presents a good accuracy provided that the sample is not too short. The second method uses end-fire coupling and it is based on the measurement of the output power together with the power back-reflected by the output face of the waveguide. The main advantage of the method is that it can be very accurate also for shorter waveguides and that its accuracy is to a high degree insensitive with respect to the optical depth of the waveguide. It provides better results in the case of high refractive index waveguides that give an intense back-reflected signal. Experimental results obtained with both methods on two different waveguides are presented. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.