Integrated structure for dual role : measuring the fiber -guide coupling losses and sensing the external medium variations

A special structure using a selective buried waveguide is realised by ion-exchange technology. The structure can be used to measure the fiber - guide coupling losses and to detect some external parameter variations. Each extremity of this structure is connected to an optical fibre. In this compatible connection, the coupling fibre - guide losses is less than 0.5 dB. The structure has a non buried part, which is sensitive to any external physical or chemical effect. Using amplitude modulation, a temperature variation is tested with this structure. In range of 20° - 40°, the sensor dynamic is 13 dB. The general structure presents low total insertion losses: - 9 dB.