Narrowband resonant transmitter

• US 6,757,463 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Original Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Inventors: Simpson, John T., Simpson, Marcus L., Hutchinson, Donald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm Enayet
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONNELLY CUSHWA, MICHELLE R
• Application Number:
  US10/262,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20030039446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 385/1-3, 385/37, 359/188
• US Class Current: 385/37
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12145 Switch
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1225 comprising photonic band-gap structures or photonic lattices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/124 Geodesic lenses or integrated gratings

Abstract

A transverse-longitudinal integrated optical resonator (TLIR) is disclosed which includes a waveguide, a first and a second subwavelength resonant grating in the waveguide, and at least one photonic band gap resonant structure (PBG) in the waveguide. The PBG is positioned between the first and second subwavelength resonant gratings. An electro-optic waveguide material may be used to permit tuning the TLIR and to permit the TLIR to perform signal modulation and switching. The TLIR may be positioned on a bulk substrate die with one or more electronic and optical devices and may be communicably connected to the same. A method for fabricating a TLIR including fabricating a broadband reflective grating is disclosed. A method for tuning the TLIR'"'"'s transmission resonance wavelength is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A resonant transmitter, comprising:

a waveguide having a first refractive index, and

a first and second subwavelength resonant grating structure in said waveguide, said resonant gratings separated by a spacing distance, said subwavelength resonant gratings each providing a plurality of high refractive index features positioned with a substantially equal spacing in said waveguide, said high refractive index features providing a refractive index greater than said first refractive index, wherein said subwavelength resonant gratings are each positioned such that the high refractive index features of each grating are spaced orthogonal to a direction of light propagation in said waveguide.

2. The resonant transmitter of claim 1, wherein said first and second subwavelength gratings are embedded in said waveguide.

3. The resonant transmitter of claim 1, wherein said waveguide is formed from at least one electro-optic material.

4. The resonant transmitter of claim 3, wherein said electro-optic waveguide material is at least one selected from the group consisting of CdTe, LiNbO₃ and SBN.

5. The resonant transmitter of claim 3, wherein said waveguide is a substantially planar waveguide, and further comprising at least one cladding layer positioned adjacent to said substantially planar waveguide.

6. The resonant transmitter of claim 5, wherein said at least one cladding layer comprises at least one lower buffer layer positioned under said waveguide and at least one upper buffer layer positioned over said waveguide.

7. The resonant transmitter of claim 6, further comprising a pair of electrically conductive discharge electrodes, wherein said waveguide is positioned between said electrically conductive discharge electrodes, said electrically conductive discharge electrodes being separated from said waveguide by said buffer layers.

8. The resonant transmitter of claim 7, further comprising a bulk substrate material and an RF oscillator, wherein said RF oscillator is formed on said bulk substrate material and is electrically connected to said electrically conductive discharge electrodes.

9. The resonant transmitter of claim 3, further comprising a bulk substrate material having a plurality of die, each said die comprising at least one electronic device, wherein said resonant transmitter is positioned on said die.

10. The resonant transmitter of claim 9, wherein said transmitter is communicably connected to one or more of said electronic devices.

11. A method for processing an electromagnetic signal which comprises utilizing the apparatus of claim 10, wherein said utilizing includes electro-optic modulation.