Optical Waveguides Containing Quantum DOT Guiding Layers and Methods of Manufacture

Abstract

Planar waveguides having quantum dots and methods of manufacture of the planar waveguide are described.

1 . A method of fabricating a waveguide containing quantum dots, the method comprising:
 providing a glass material;   selectively introducing a first type of ions to the glass material, wherein the first type of ions are exchanged with a second type of ions present in the glass to increase the index of refraction in selected regions of the glass material.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the selected region is the guiding region of the waveguide. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the introducing further comprises:
 forming a mask over a surface of the glass material; and thermally diffusing the first type of ions through an opening in the mask.   
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the quantum dots are lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first type of ions are potassium ions. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first type of ions are silver ions. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the glass material is a NaCa-boroaluminosilicate glass. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein prior to the selective introducing, the quantum dots are nucleated and grown. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the selective introduction further comprises immersing the glass material in a bath containing the first type of ions. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising, after selectively introducing the first type of ions, selectively reintroducing the second type of ions. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the quantum dots are one or more selected from the group consisting of: CuCl quantum dots, CuBr 2  quantum dots, Cu 2 O quantum dots, AgCl quantum dots, CdS quantum dots, CdSe quantum dots, CdTe quantum dots, ZnO quantum dots, ZnS quantum dots, In 2 O 3  quantum dots, PbSe quantum dots and PbTe quantum dots. 
     
     
         12 - 20 . (canceled)