Fabrication of ZnO channel waveguides for nonlinear optical applications

We present a fabrication procedure for ZnO channel waveguides intended for nonlinear optical applications. Ar ion milling was used to etch the single crystal thin film samples, and the effects of bias power, chamber pressure and Ar flow rate were investigated, finding optimal parameters for waveguide fabrication. The effect of sidewall roughness was estimated by comparing the results of cut-back measurements and an analytical model. We show an easy and effective method for the fabrication of ZnO channel waveguides.