Optical waveguide phase shifter

US6816635B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Avanex Corporation · US

Inventors

• Axel Klekamp · Markgröningen, DE
• Henning Bulow · Kornwestheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 2002
• Grant date: Nov 9, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/0113
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical waveguide phase shifter that comprises a planar silicon-dioxide-containing optical glass waveguide whose core contains glass, and also a planar optical polymer waveguide whose core contains a polymer and/or a mixture of polymers, furthermore means that effect the change in the temperature of the planar optical polymer waveguide and wherein the refractive index of the planar optical polymer waveguide is greater than the refractive index of the planar silicon-dioxide-containing optical waveguide. The refractive indices of the planar optical polymer waveguide and of the silicon-dioxide-containing optical glass waveguide can consequently be matched even by a small increase in the temperature of the planar optical polymer waveguide. In addition, only the propagation constant of the optical field in a silicon-dioxide-containing optical waveguide according to the invention is influenced by the coupling mode between silicon-dioxide waveguide and polymer waveguide.