Polarization independent optical switches
US4997245A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrooptical device comprises a substrate of electrooptic material having first, second and third optical waveguide formed therein. The first and second waveguides have first and second waveguide segments respectively, and the third waveguide has third and fourth waveguide segments extending adjacent the first and second waveguide segments respectively, so that first and second directional couplers are formed. The interaction length of the first directional coupler is slightly greater than an optimum interaction length for a predetermined wavelength and the interaction length of the second directional coupler is slightly less than an optimum interaction length for the predetermined wavelength. A first electrode structure influences the first directional coupler and a second electrode structure influences the second directional coupler. Potentials can be applied to the first and second electrode structures such that for the predetermined wavelength first and second states of the device can be established in which polarized light is propagated from one end of the first waveguide to one end of the second waveguide with higher and lower transmissions respectively and the transmiss…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.