Self-written gradient double claddlike optical guiding channels of high stability

Composite photopolymerizable material and self-writing method are developed, allowing the creation of very stable (in time) gradient double-clad optical waveguides with W form of refractive index profile. The guide is formed by the mutual counter diffusion of reactive and nonreactive molecules followed by photopolymerization. After the guide formation by a Gaussian intensity shaped beam, the mixture is simply fixed by uniform irradiation without additional processing. More than 2cm length permanent self-guiding channels are created. The obtained results could be useful for “optical bonding” of dissimilar optical devices.