Aberration correction for direct laser written waveguides in a transverse geometry

The depth dependent spherical aberration is investigated for ultrafast laser written waveguides fabricated in a transverse writing geometry using the slit beam shaping technique in the low pulse repetition rate regime. The axial elongation of the focus caused by the aberration leads to a distortion of the refractive index change, and waveguides designed as single mode become multimode. We theoretically estimate a depth range over which the aberration effects can be compensated simply by adjusting the incident laser power. If deeper fabrication is required, it is demonstrated experimentally that the aberration can be successfully removed using adaptive optics to fabricate single mode optical waveguides over a depth range > 1 mm.