Polarization-independent electro-optically switched directional coupler
US5495544A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A polarization-independent electro-optically switched directional coupler utilizing reverse differential propagation constant control comprises an electro-optic material having at least a pair of wave guide channels within an interaction region and at least a pair of electrodes for selectively producing an electric field across the wave guide channels which electro-optically alters an optical propagation constant of the wave guide channels so as to vary the effects of an optical coupling between the wave guide channels. The wave guide channels have a curvature region defined by a constant radius that is selected so as to coincide a set of operating voltages for an optical switch state of the directional coupler for a transverse magnetic (TM) polarization mode with a set of operating voltages for an optical switch state of the directional coupler for a transverse electric (TE) polarization mode by shifting the optical switch state of the TM polarization mode relative to the optical state of the TE polarization mode due to the relative difference between the magnitude of the electro-optic effect for the TM polarization mode light signal in the curvature region and magnitude of the el…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.