Photosensitivity in optical fiber and silica-on-substrate waveguides

Ultraviolet light irradiation of optical fibers or silica-on-silica channel optical waveguides photoinduces a permanent refractive index change in the core of the optical waveguide. The effect called `photosensitivity' provides a versatile photolithographic means for processing glass in the form of optical fiber or planar optical waveguides in order to fabricate optical waveguide devices that have applications in optical fiber communications and optical sensor systems. This paper reports on some recent experimental results on photosensitivity in optical fibers and planar optical waveguides and its use in the fabrication of optical waveguide devices.