Structure of a micronanostructure optical wave guide for controlling birefringence

US8285102B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES · FR

Inventors

• Badhise Ben Bakir · Brézins, FR
• Alexei Tchelnokov · Meylan, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B82Y20/00
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A waveguide structure includes a supporting substrate and a waveguide having at least one guide layer with a refractive index n1. This layer comprises a zone of birefringence B which comprises voids provided in the thickness of the guide layer filled with a fluid or material having a refractive index n2. These are organized in at least two parallel rows, each row being in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the guide layer and parallel to the direction of propagation of the optical wave in the guide layer; each row extending over a distance equal to or greater than the wavelength of the optical wave; the width of the voids being ≦ 1/10th of the wavelength of the optical wave; each void within one row being at a distance from an adjacent void of ≦ 1/10th of the wavelength of the optical wave.