Birefringent optical waveguides of aluminum garnet
US5175787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/122
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides birefringent optical waveguide structures of crystalline aluminum garnet of a high refractive index which are clad with crystalline aluminum garnet of a lower refractive index. Due to predetermined lattice mismatch between garnet substrate and cladding layer, strain is induced which causes a stress with resultant birefringence in the waveguide layer. When linearly polarized light enters such stressed waveguide in certain orientations, the linear polarization will be preserved by the stress-induced birefringence. These birefringent clad waveguides can be in the form of slabs, channels, ribs, or any of the typical optical waveguide structures. They are useful at high temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.