Integrated polarization controllers with nano-electromechanical dielectric pertubation

• US 20060263001A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Wong, Chee Wei, Ippen, Erich P., Phua, Poh-Boon
• Granted Patent: US 7,466,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/11
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/286 for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/105 having optical polarisation effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/126 using polarisation effects G02B6/1226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/274 based on light guide birefringence, e.g. due to coupling between light guides G02B6/105, G02B6/024 take precedence; mechanically induced birefringence G02F1/0134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2766 Manipulating the plane of polarisation from one input polarisation to another output polarisation, e.g. polarisation rotators, linear to circular polarisation converters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0128 based on electro-mechanical, magneto-mechanical, elasto-optic effects

Abstract

A polarization controller includes a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis that receives an optical signal from a waveguide structure. At least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber produces ±45° birefringent axes by placing the at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions around the phase retarder to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

Claims

1. A polarization controller comprising:

a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis that receives an optical signal from a waveguide structure; and

at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber that produces ±

45°

birefringent axes by placing said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions around said phase retarder to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

2. The polarization controller of claim 1, wherein said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber comprises two nanomechanical dielectric perturbers.

3. The polarization controller of claim 1, wherein said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber comprises one nanomechanical dielectric perturber.

4. The polarization controller of claim 3, wherein said nanomechanical dielectric perturber slides above said waveguide structure.

5. The polarization controller of claim 2, wherein said one of said two nanomechanical dielectric perturber is placed before the birefringent phase retarder, and another implemented after said phase retarder.

6. The polarization controller of claim 5, wherein said two nanomechanical dielectric perturber comprise two quarter-wavelength plates.

7. A method of controlling states of a polarization controller comprising:

providing a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis for an optical signal received from a waveguide structure; and

producing ±

45°

birefringent axes by placing said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber comprises two nanomechanical dielectric perturber.

9. The polarization controller of claim 7, wherein said at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber comprises one nanomechanical dielectric perturber.

10. The polarization controller of claim 9, wherein said nanomechanical dielectric perturber slides above said waveguide structure.

11. The polarization controller of claim 8, wherein said one of said two nanomechanical dielectric perturber is placed before the birefringent phase retarder, and another implemented after said phase retarder.

12. The polarization controller of claim 11, wherein said two nanomechanical dielectric perturber comprise two quarter-wavelength plates.