Method and apparatus for switching an optical beam using an optical rib waveguide

US6600864B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Intel Corporation · US

Inventors

• Dean Samara-Rubio · Pleasanton, US
• Michael T. Morse · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 10, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/025
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical switch including an optical rib waveguide. In one embodiment, the disclosed optical switch a first optical confinement layer disposed between first and second semiconductor substrate layers. A second optical confinement layer is disposed proximate to the first semiconductor substrate layer. The first semiconductor substrate layer is disposed between the first and second optical confinement layers. First and second lateral optical confinement regions are disposed proximate to the first optical confinement layer. A rib region is included in the first semiconductor substrate layer. The rib region is disposed proximate to the first optical confinement layer and between the first and second lateral optical confinement regions. A slab region is included in the first semiconductor substrate walk layer and is disposed proximate to the second optical confinement layer. The slab region is disposed between the second optical confinement layer and the rib region and the first and second lateral optical confinement regions.