Sol-Gel Sysnthesis Of Glasses For Photonics: A Review Of Current Research And Future Prospects

This paper first addresses the recent decline in interest in using sol-gel to make all or part of fibreoptic preforms for drawing to low loss silica glass optical fibre. Next, recent developments in inorganic oxide sol-gel processing of high silica and multicomponent silicate glass to make passive planar optical waveguides is discussed. Current progress in making organically modified silicates (ormosils) as passive waveguides based on organic-inorganic hybrid glassy materials will be reviewed. Finally, recent investigations into using sol-gel to prepare planar waveguides of inorganic non-oxide glasses will be presented.