In-guide control of optical propagation
First Claim
1. An optical device for controlling propagation of light within an optical waveguide comprising a core substantially axi-symmetrically surrounded by a cladding having a substantially fixed index of refraction, the optical device comprising:
- a control region of the optical waveguide in which a radial thickness of the cladding is less than a penetration depth of an evanescent field of light propagating in the waveguide core;
a variable-index material surrounding the cladding at least within the control region, the variable-index material having an index of refraction that is controllable in response to an applied stimulus; and
a controller adapted to controllably apply the stimulus to the variable-index material within the control region.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
We propose a dynamically tunable electro-optic cladding using our proprietary electro-optic material, applied to various circular and planar wave-guides along with specific electrode configuration and excitation electric field format appropriate to that material. Based on the evanescent field coupling phenomena, the proposed device may be used in variable optical attenuators, tunable filters and couplers, etc. Different design of applied electrodes and optical properties of controllable refractive index materials allow polarization dependent or independent, as well as direct or inverse operation regimes of proposed devices.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An optical device for controlling propagation of light within an optical waveguide comprising a core substantially axi-symmetrically surrounded by a cladding having a substantially fixed index of refraction, the optical device comprising:
-
a control region of the optical waveguide in which a radial thickness of the cladding is less than a penetration depth of an evanescent field of light propagating in the waveguide core;
a variable-index material surrounding the cladding at least within the control region, the variable-index material having an index of refraction that is controllable in response to an applied stimulus; and
a controller adapted to controllably apply the stimulus to the variable-index material within the control region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification