Waveguides and devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions
US6687425B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/897
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Waveguides and integrated optical devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic clad waveguide is provided with an optical waveguide core and first and second electrooptic cladding regions. The optical waveguide core is a substantially non-electrooptic material. The cladding regions are electrooptic polymers defining a refractive index that is less than that of the core. The first and second cladding regions may be poled in opposite or perpendicular directions or along a contour of an electric field. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize other types of optically functional materials in the cladding regions. Integrated optical devices according to the present invention comprise phase modulators, intensity modulators, 2×2 polarization independent optical switches, high-frequency modulators, wavelength-dependent optical switches, directional couplers employing electrooptic gaps and electrooptic cladding regions, and optical devices with thinned-down waveguide channels and phase compensating elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.