Optical waveguide structures
US6801691B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/10
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The purely bound electromagnetic modes of propagation supported by waveguide structures comprised of a thin lossy metal film of finite width embedded in an infinite homogeneous dielectric have been characterized at optical wavelengths. One of the fundamental modes supported by the structure exhibits very interesting characteristics and is potentially quite useful. It evolves with decreasing film thickness and width towards the TEM wave supported by the background (an evolution similar to that exhibited by the sb mode in symmetric metal film slab waveguides), its losses and phase constant tending asymptotically towards those of the TEM wave. Attenuation values can be well below those of the sb mode supported by the corresponding metal film slab waveguide. Low mode power attenuation in the neighborhood of 10 to 0.1 dB/cm is achievable at optical communications wavelengths, with even lower values being possible. Carefully selecting the film's thickness and width can make this mode the only long-ranging one supported. In addition, the mode can have a field distribution that renders it excitable using an end-fire approach. The existence of this mode renders the finite-width metal film w…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.