Cu + containing waveguiding layers in novel silicate glass substrates

Cu+ was studied both for localized glass doping as a laser active ion and as a potential refractive index modifier. Specially designed silicate optical glass types were used as substrate materials. The samples were prepared by ion-exchange reaction Cu+ ↔ Na+ using a molten mixture of cuprous halides and zinc chloride. Even very low content of Cu+ in the samples exhibited very intense blue-green luminescence. To ensure that the amount of Cu+ will be high enough to create refractive index increment sufficient for the waveguiding effect, high sodium glass substrates should be used. Locations of the Cu+ ions in the glass matrices strongly affected the wavelengths of the blue-green emission bands.