A waveguide configuration comprising a core, a first cladding, a second
cladding, and a buffer. The core includes an index of refraction and an
acoustic shear velocity. The first cladding extends about the core and
has an acoustic shear velocity which is less than that of the core and an
index of refraction which is less than the core. The second cladding
extends about the first cladding. The second cladding has an acoustic
shear velocity which is greater than that of the first cladding and less
than the acoustic shear velocity of the core. The second cladding has an
index of refraction which is less than that of an optical mode. The
buffer extends about the second cladding.