Towards an integrated optics technology fabrication and characterization of optical slab waveguides made by ion exchange on glass slides

We present software that enables the design of future processes to give specific index profiles, and is to be expanded in the future to include further process simulation and waveguide and integrated optical components design and simulation. Further development of the facilities to make two-dimensional channel waveguides and basic integrated optics components is planned. This paper presents the different aspects of this establishment and discusses the future steps to build on and improve what has been achieved in the processing and characterization of optical slab waveguides, and to fabricate basic integrated optics components. It also demonstrates the need for further project funding to expand the existing facility into a pilot integrated optics technological basis in Egypt.