Optical waveguide
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An optical waveguide is a form of a dielectric waveguide that is capable of guiding an optical signal. The optical waveguide can be used as an component in integrated optical circuits or as a transmission medium in local or long haul optical communication systems.
Optical waveguides can be classified according to their geometry (planar, strip or fiber waveguides), mode structure (single-mode, multi-mode), refractive index distribution (step or gradient index) and material (glass, polymer, semiconductor).